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ALLEN  COUNTY  PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


3  1833  00858  6189 


HENRY  DUNSTER 


HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

BY 

SAMUEL    DUNSTER, 

ATTLEBOROUGH,   MASS. 


U.      /o-       B^       <n^  «  ^     .   ^   ' 


CENTRAL  FALLS,  R  I. : 

E.  L.  Freeman  &  Co.,  Steam  Book  and  Job  Printers. 

1876. 


1158949 


INTRODUCTION 


K-^ 


1 


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v 


When  the  life  of  Henry  Dunster  was  published  in  1872, 
a  genealogy  of  the  male  br9,nches  of  his  descendants,  as 
far  as  known,  was  added  in  an  appendix.  Some  of  the 
female  descendants  were  grieved  that  they  and  their 
children  could  not  be  noticed.  This  just  appeal  could 
only  be  met  by  urging  the  want  of  space  allotted,  and 
the  difficulty  of  identifying  many  of  them  after  having 
parted  with  their  patronymic. 

It  is  our  purpose,  as  far  as  we  are  able,  to  amend  this 
acknowledged  wrong  and  add  more  information,  not 
then  accessible,  of  those  who  retain  the  name,  as  well  as 
those  who  by  marriage  have  dropped  it. 

The  name  Dunster  signifies  a  dweller  upon  a  dun,  or 
down,  and  is  of  Saxon  origin.  There  is  a  market  town 
in  Somersetshire,  England,  and  a  castle  there  by  that 
name.  Hence,  we  suppose,  the  origin  of  the  crest — 
(Book  of  Family  Crests,  Vol.  I.,  page  155,  and  Vol.  II., 
plate  85,  No.  25,) — "  Dunster,  out  of  the  top  of  a  tower, 
ar.  an  arm  emboss,  vested  gri.,  cuffed  of  the  first,  hold- 
ing a  tilting  spear,  sa."  But  no  knowledge  or  intimation 
has  ever  reached  the  writer  that  that  or  other  crest  was 
ever  used  or  referred  to  by  the  American  head  of  the 
family.  He  was  quite  too  democratic  for  that,  as  his 
whole  life  shows. 

There  are  several  families  in  this  country  by  the  name 
besides  those  descended  from  President  Dunster,  the 
earliest  of  which  appears  to  be  Charles  Dunster,  who,  as 
Mr.  Oliver  Dunster,  his  great  grandson,  of  Barnardsville, 
New  Jersey,  states  "  was  one  of  the  twelve  proprietors  of 
all  South  Jersey,  and  owned  a  great  deal  of  land  in  West 


IV  INTRODUCTION. 

Jerse}","  on  some  of  which  he  now  resides.  The  Dun- 
sters  in  Leesville,  Ohio,  appear  to  be  descended  from 
him.  But  the  Dunsters  of  western  New  York,  are  of 
a  more  recent  immigration.  They  came  from  the  Coun- 
ty of  Kent.  There  is  also  in  Grass  Valley,  California, 
an  Isaac  Dunster,  who  came  only  a  few  years  ago.  There 
was  a  Thomas  Dunster  in  Newark,  New  Jersey,  not  re- 
lated to  Oliver,  who  had  a  son  Henry,  who  was  a  Meth- 
odist minister.  He  had  a  son — an  eminent  bank  note 
engraver — now  in  the  employ  of  the  Eussian  government. 
In  the  Army  Hospital  at  Memphis,  Tenn.,  in  1863, 
there  was  the  death  of  a  ''Dunster,"  but  we  have  not 
been  able  to  identify  his  parentage.  The  account  is 
from  a  correspondent  of  tlie  St.  Louis  Republican,  which 
we  copy: 

"A  Hospital  Scene  at  Memphis. — We  came  to  the  body  of  a 
non-commissioued  officer,  a  fine,  large  man,  who  during  the  last 
few  hours  had  become  insane.  The  bone  of  his  thigh  was  shat- 
tered by  a  ball,  so  high  up  that  amputation  could  not  be  perform- 
ed, so  nothing  was  offered  him  but  to  lay  there  and  die.  Watch- 
ing the  terrible  hues  of  mortification  come  upon  his  limb,  feeling 
the  horrible  poison  steal  up  toward  his  vitals,  grasping  and  dead- 
ening new  tissues  each  hour,  it  proved  too  fearful  for  even  the 
strong  man,  who  to  his  physicians  had  uttered  no  cry  or  com- 
plaint, and  his  mind  fled  for  relief  to  insanit3^ 

"As  we  approached  he  fixed  a  pair  of  cold,  despairing  eyes  upon 
us  and  exclaimed,  pointing  back  over  his  shoulder,  '  Do  you  see 
him,  old  Death  there,  sitting  on  the  headboard  and  laughing  ?  A 
grim  army  joker  in  truth.  The  other  night  I  felt  a  cold  touch, 
and  it  woke  me.  The  moon  flung  in  a  bai- of  light,  and  I  saw  old 
Death  feeling  of  my  wound.  The  icy  touch  numbed  it,  and  the 
next  time  I  woke  his  hand  was  closer  to  my  body.  So  it  goes  ; 
and  he  will  soon  be  pulling  on  my  heart  chords.'  The  maniac 
then  stopped  as  if  for  the  purpose  of  reflecting,  and  during  our 
stay  would  part  of  the  time  be  musing,  part  laughing,  occasion- 
ally breaking  out  with  the  exclamation:  'I  plead  to  him  that 
they  would  be  lonely  at  the  old  home;  a  wife  and  child  are  pleas- 
anter  than  a  tomb.' 

"And  so  we  left  hini,  the  utter  corruption,  the  rottenness  of  the 
tomb,  and  the  vitality  of  a  great  man  joined  in  one  being,  grap- 
pling upon  the  hospital  bed.  Life,  with  the  full,  strong  pulse  of 
thirty  years,  had  marshalled  its  forces,  been  defeated,  and  was 
retreating  upon  its  citadel,  pursued  by  the  decay  growth  of  a  few 
days.  The  arteries  would  soon,  stung  by  the  poison  tide,  .stag- 
nate, and  block  up  the  gates  of  tiie  lieart.  His  name  was  C.  P. 
Dunster,  from  Illinois,  I  believe,  but  the  regiment  he  belonged  to 
I  have  forgotten." 


INTRODUCTION.  Y 

The  name  appears  to  have  been  originally  written 
Dunstone.  In  an  old  letter  in  our  possession,  on  the 
back  of  which  is  the  most  extended  sermon  extant  in 
President  Dunster's  hand,  it  is  so  written,  as  it  also  is  in 
a  record  in  Henry  VIII.  time.  Could  it,  in  the  forma- 
tion of  surnames,  have  had  any  reference  to  the  expres- 
sion, "A  great  rock  in  a  tueary  land  ?"  This  letter  hav- 
ing never  been  printed,  we  insert  entire: 

"1655,  the20  Augt 
Cousin  Dunstone  my  kind  love  remember,  d  unto  you  raj  wife 
yor  Cozen  mary  Biildis  Coy  [Kay]  tlio  growing  od  is  in  good 
health  I  heard  from  her  the  last  April  I  heard  yor  wife  is  dead 
I  desire  you  to  remember  my  love  to  my  sonn  in  Law  Benjamin 
Phillipps  and  ye  rest  of  o.r  ffreinds    Crave  here  leave  to  rest. 

Yor  Loving  Kinsman 
This  day  we  saled  Tho.  Greene 

from  y'^  Barbadoes 
to  England.     I  came 
from  Ginny  to  Barbadoes  " 

The  name  is  an  ancient  one  in  England,  especially  in 
Lancashire.  As  early  as  Henry  YIII.,  there  are  records 
in  the  parish  of  Middleton  of  the  burials  of  Hugo, 
Katherine,  Johannes,  and  Georgius  Dunster,  all  within 
the  year  1543:  and  in  Edward  VI.  reign,  George,  Jannet, 
Elizabeth  ux  Johannes  Dunster  and  Johannis  Dunster. 
In  Mary's  reign,  (1553),  Anna,  and  before  IGOO  seven 
others. 

Among  the  nine  weddings  of  "Dunsters"  recorded  in 
the  parish  of  Middleton  between  1544  and  1594,  is  Henry 
Dunster  and  Anne  Strete,  25th  July,  3  Edw.  VI.,  1550; 
Edmund  Dunster  and  Jane  Hopwood,  July  20,  4  Edw. 
VI.,  1551;  also  Henry  Dunster  and  Katherine  Kaye,  15th 
May,  6  Edw.  VI.,  1553. 

There  are  seven  births  recorded  there  before  1600, 
among  which  are  Martha  /?7m  Jac.  Dunster,  27th  Jan., 
1593,  and  Mtiry //m  /r/r.^ Dunster,  4th  May,  1595,  and 
other  children  of  Edmund  and  Richard  Dunster. 

There  were  several  Dunsters  of  some  note.  John,  who 
was  Bachelor  of  Divinity,  a  canon  regular  in  22  Henry 
VIII. ,  1530  ;  Eoger  Dunster,  a  London  merchant :  John 
Dunster,  A.  B.,  Magdalen  College,  IGOO,  A.  M.,  1604, 
Proctor  of  the  College,  1611  ;  Thomas  Dunster,  Proctor 
1* 


VI  INTRODUCTION. 

of  Wadham  College,  1688,  D.  D.,  1690;  Henry  Duu- 
ster,  Esq.,  married  Mary,  daughter  and  heir  of  Henry 
Gardner,  Esq.,  M.  P.  for  Ilchester,  1660  ;  Samuel  Dun- 
ster  published  Anglia  Eedeviva,  1699,  (Willard  Memori- 
al). There  is  also  Horace's  Satires,  Epistles,  and  Art 
of  Poetry,  done  into  English,  with  notes,  by  S.  Dunster, 
D.  D.,  Prebendary  of  Sarum.     London,  1729.     4  Ed. 

In  the  life  of  Henry  Dunster,  page  254,  is  a  record  of 
one  marriage  and  ten  baptisms,  furnished  by  Charles 
Deane,  Esq.,  of  Cambridge,  who  procured  it  in  1854 
from  the  Parish  Clerk  of  Bury,  in  Lancashire.  This 
record  did  not  give  any  baptisms  between  1595  and  1618. 
Although  it  appeared  identical  with  some  facts  in  the 
"Balehoult"  Letter,  it  failed  to  give  satisfaction  as  to 
the  birth  of  President  D.,  or  reconcile  statements  made 
by  him.  These  discrepancies  are  fully  stated  by  Mr. 
Chaplin.  We  sent  to  Bury  and  had  the  record  of  the 
old  church  there  examined  from  1594  to  1650.  An  at- 
tested copy  is  printed  below: 

"  Extracts  from  the  Register  of  the  Parish  Church,  Bury,  Lan- 
casliire. 
Anuo.  Dom.  1594,  June,  Robt.,  son  of  Henry  Dunster. 

1595,  August,  Henry,  son  of  William  Dunster. 

1597,  April,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Henry  Dunster. 

1600,  August,  Daniel,  son  of  Henry  Dunster. 

1602,  March,  James,  son  of  Henry  Dunster. 

1605,  August,  Robert,  son  of  Henry  Dunster. 

1606,  August,  John,  son  of  Henry  Dunster. 
1609,  Nov.,  Henry,  son  of  Thos.  Dunster. 
1611,  Nov.,  Thos.,  son  of  Henry  Dunster. 

1618,  June,  Mary,  daugh.  of  Henry  Dunster  (minor). 

1620,  Nov.,  Henry,  son  of  Henry  Dunster, 

1622,  Mar.,  Daniel,  son  of  Robert  Dunster,  of  Elton. 

1622,  May,  John,  son  of  Henry  Dunster. 

1625,  Aug.,  Daniel,  son  of  Henry  Dunster,  of  Elton. 

1627,  Dec,  Alice,  daughter  of  Henry  Dunster,  of 
Elton. 

1628,  March,  Margaret,  daughter  of  Robert  Dunster, 
of  Tottington. 

1632,  July,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Henry  Dunster, 

of  Elton. 
l!^35,  April,  .James,  son  of  Henry  Dunster,  of  Elton. 
1688,  Dec,  Bitiah,  daughter  of  Robert  Dunster. 
1640,  March,  Faith,  daughter  of  Robert  Dunster. 
1649,  Aug. ,  Henry,  son  of  John  Dunster,  of  Elton. 


INTRODUCTION.  VII 

The  above  are  all  the  entries  of  the  name  of  Dunster  from  1590 
to  the  end  of  1650,  as  examined  by  me.  S.  Bailey. 

Parish  Clerk,  Bury,  Lancashire." 

This  record  agrees  substantially  after  1617 — at  which 
time,  October  10,  Henry  Dunster  was  married  to  Isabell 
Kay — with  the  one  in  the  life  of  H.  D. ;  but  the  entry 
"  1G19,  April  xxii,  baptised  Elisabeth,  daughter  of  Henry 
Dunster,"  is  entirely  wanting  in  Mr.  Bailey's  copy. 

In  the  parish  records  at  Elton,  a  short  distance  from 
Bury,  is  the  registration  of  John  Dunster's  family  of  four 
children, — '*'  Henry,  son  of  John  Dunster,  of  Elton,  born 
Aug.  21,  baptised  Sept.  9,  1649."  There  can  hardly  be 
a  doubt  that  tliis  Henry  is  the  same  mentioned  in  the 
Bury  records  as  having  been  baptised  there.  The  other 
children  are  Daniel,  baptised  July  27,  1652;  ''Henry, 
son  of  John  Dunster,  of  Elton,  born  Aug.  2-1,  baptised 
26,  1655."  [The  first  Henry  probably  died  in  infancy]. 
Also,  Mary,  daughter  of  John  D.  This  John  Dunster 
was  church  warden  there  in  1677,  and  appears  to  have 
been  related  to  the  Bury  Dunsters — possibly  might  have 
been  the  "John,  son  of  Henry,  baptised  1606."  There 
is  also  the  record, — "  John,  son  of  Henry  Dunster, 
buried  Sept.   14,   1687," — perhaps  the  same. 

It  is  remarkable  that  there  is  a  connected  list  of  the 
children  of  Henry  Dunster  from  1597  to  1611,  in- 
clusive, with  the  single  exception  of  1609,  where  Henry 
is  named  as  the  son  of  Thomas.  There  is  not  in  the 
whole  list  of  fifty-six  years  another  child  of  Thomas 
named  ;  and  their  births  came  at  such  regular  intervals 
as  to  raise  a  doubt  whether  this  Henry  was  not  also  the 
son  of  Henry.  If  so,  it  would  reconcile  all  the  disagree- 
ments to  which  Mr.  Chaplin  refers,  and  make  Henry 
Dunster  to  have  been  baptised  in  November,  1609,  and 
thirty  or  thirty-one  years  old  at  the  time  of  being  elected 
President  of  Harvard  College. 

This  doubt"  ai:)peared  of  so  much  consequence  that, 
learning  the  records  by  age  were  in  some  places  hard  to 
make  out,  Mr.  Bailey  was  requested  by  us  to  re-examine 
them,  which  he  did,  and  wrote  us  as  follows  : 

"11  Parson's  Lane,  Bury,  Lancashire,  England,      ) 
Feb'y  18,  1876.  \ 

Dear  Sir : — I  have  carefully  read  over  your  letters  to  Mr.  Kay 


VIII  INTKODUCTION. 

and  Mr.  Nabb  respecting  the  entries  in  the  register  of  the  Parish 
Churcli  here.  I  have  gone  over  the  list  I  sent  you,  and  compared 
the  names  and  dates  witli  the  register.  Tlie  one  in  1609  is  plain 
and  distinct, — 'Henry,  s.  of  Tlios.  Dunster.'    *    *    * 

Samuel  Bailey." 

This  letter  removes  all  doubt  of  the  correctness  of  the 
copy,  and  shows  that  if  there  be  any  mistake  it  must 
have  been  in  the  original  entry  in  the  register.  It  would 
be  very  easy  for  the  Parish  Clerk  to  mistake  the  Rector's 
memorandum,  and  write  Th.  for  H.,  and  the  long^[s] 
of  that  day  for  the  y,  and  thus  Henry  would  become 
Thomas,  with  hardly  a  change  in  the  chirography  of  the 
other  letters.  We  hope  that  some  one  w4io  has  the  op- 
portunity to  do  so  will  further  investigate  the  record  of 
that  family,  from  whom  we  verily  believe  President  Dun- 
ster to  have  sprung,  by  examining  the  wills,  convey- 
ances, court  records,  and  tax  books  of  that  day;  also  the 
births,  baptisms,  burials,  which  might  leave  the  record 
clear.  It  would  be  a  grateful  tribute  of  Harvard  Col- 
lege to  the  memory  of  her  first  President,  whom  she  used 
so  roughly. 

The  Mr.  JSTabb  referred  to  in  Mr.  Bailey's  letter,  whose 
name  is  Thomas  Dunster  Nabb,  is  the  son  of  Sarah 
Dunster,  who  married  John  Nabb,  and  lives  at  27  Back 
Garden  street.  Bury.  They  trace  their  relationship  back 
to  John  Dunster,  whose  ancestors  owned  the  '*  Bolholt" 
(as  now  written)  estate.  He  lived  at  Higher  Wood  Hill, 
in  Bury.     This  John  Dunster  had  seven  children. 

I.  Richard  Dunster.  He  came  to  Southampton,  Long 
Island,  about  1830;  was  a  wheelwright;  had  four  daugh- 
ters; no  sons.  The  oldest,  Emma  Dunster,  married  Mr. 
Schroeder,  and  lives  at  Southampton.  They  have  had 
four  sons,  one  of  whom  she  named  Samuel  Dunster 
Schroeder.     He  is  15  years  old. 

II.  William  Dunster,  son  of  John,  came  to  America 
with  his  brother  Richard,  and  was  last  heard  of  in  Phil- 
adelphia.    He  had  a  son  Richard. 

HI.  James  Dunster. 

IV.  John  Dunster. 

V.  Betsey  Dunster. 

VI.  Sarah  Dunster,  who  married  John  Nabb. 


INTRODUCTION.  IX 

VII.  Jane  Diinster,  who  married  Edwin  Twigg,  of 
Bury,  had  four  children,  Isabelhi,  the  oldest,  married 
Jeremiah  Smith,  of  Bury.  About  a  year  ago  we  had  a 
visit  from  liini,  and  learned  many  facts  of  the  Dunster 
family.  The  name  does  not  exist  in  Bury  now.  Were 
the  Newark  Dunsters  of  this  family  ?  If  so,  the  George 
H.  Dunster,  of  St.  Petersburg,  Kussia,  who  graduated 
at  the  New  York  College  of  Dentistry,  Feb.  23,  1875, 
and  received  the  "^Faculty  prize  for  the  best  examina- 
tion in  all  the  studies  of  the  course,"  was,  as  we  think, 
descended  from  the  same  stock  as  Rev.  Henry  Dunster. 

In  Rev.  Dr.  Quint's  oration,  at  Dover,  N.  H.,  the 
name  Thos.  Dunstar  ap})ears,  page  18,  as  a  signer  of 
"The  Combination  for  Government  by  y'  people  at  Pas- 
cataq,  1640."  This  is  the  earliest  document  in  the  his- 
tory of  Dover,  and  was  dated  22d  day  of  October,  1640. 
As'the  earliest  settlers  of  Dover  and  Portsmouth  came 
from  the  west  of  England,  it  is  probable  that  this  Thos. 
Dunster  was  from  Somersetshire.  He  could  possibly 
have  been  President  D.'s  brother  Thomas.  He  was  in 
England,  March  20,  1640,  having  buried  both  wife  and 
children  recently.  The  name  appears  signed  last  on  the 
*'  Combination."     Nothing  further  is  known  of  him. 

In  Worcester,.  Mass.,  is  a  William  Dunster,  who  came 
in  1854  from  Waterford,  Ireland,  with  a  brother,  who 
is  in  Canada.  Tliey  were  expelled  for  not  paying  the 
rents.  They  are  traditionally  from  Lancashire,  Eng., 
but  have  no  written  record. 

The  plan  of  the  genealogy  is  made  as  simple  as  possi- 
ble. Following  the  head  of  a  family  are  the  children, 
arranged  according  to  age,  and  numbered  i,  ii,  &c.,  and 
over  the  baptismal  name  a  small  figure  to  denote  the 
(feneration.  This  is  followed  by  the  surname,  and  when 
deemed  necessary  that  is  followed  by  the  parentage  of 
that  child,  in  parenthesis,  numbered  as  in  the  baptismal 
name,  so  that  any  one  can  easily  be  traced  back  to  the 
earliest  known  record.  The  history  of  each  child  is  then 
taken  up,  and  flieir  children  numbered  1,*2,  &c. ;  then 
follow  the  grand-children,  numbered  (i)  (ii)  in  paren- 
thesis ;  their  the  great  grand-children,  numbered  (1)  (2), 
also  in  parenthesis — each  following  its  own  parentage. 


X  INTRODUCTION". 

When  the  history  of  any  one  is  long,  or  the  children  so 
numerous  as  to  lead  to  confusion,  that  one  is  simply 
named,  and  against  the  name  is  placed  a  full  face  figure, 
If  with  the  sign  §,  and  in  a  subsequent  page,  at  the  same 
figure,  more  of  their  history  will  be  found. 

The  manuscript  unexpectedly  became  more  extended 
than  it  was  judged  prudent  to  print.  It  is  therefore 
abridged  in  many  places,  and  matter  which  we  should 
have  gladly  put  in  is  omitted.  Where  the  record  of  any 
family  terminates  abruptly,  it  is  for  want  of  information 
which  could  not  be  obtained.  It  is  hoped  that  the  MS. 
letters  and  notes  will  be  preserved  in  the  family.  To 
avoid  numerous  foot  notes,  references  are  often  made  in 
the  text. 

Abbreviations. — b.  born;  bap.  baptised;  bur.  buried; 
chn.  children;  d.  died;  dau.  daughter;  m.  married; 
iinm.  unmarried;  r.  or  res.  reside. 

SAMUEL  DUNSTER. 

Attleboro,  Mass.,  Nov.  1,  1876. 


HENRY   DUNSTER 


HIS  DESCENDANTS 


EMIGRANT  ANCESTOR-HENRY  DUNSTER. 


Henry  Dunster,  the  first  of  the  name  in  this  country, 
and  the  first  President  of  Harvard  College,  was  born  in 
England,  and  came  over  in  the  year  1640.  The  only 
known  reference  to  the  place  of  his  birth  is  found  in  a  let- 
ter* of  his  own,  dated  Feb.,  1648,  and  addressed  to  Ch. 
Eavius,  Professor  of  Oriental  languages  in  London.  In 
that  letter  he  says  :  ''Ego  enim  Lancastrensis  sum"  (for 
I  am  from  Lancashire).  Another  letter  to  President 
Dunster,  from  his  father,  is  still  extant,**  and  is  dated 
"from  Balehoult,  this  20th  of  March,  1640."  Bale- 
hoult  (sometimes  called  Billyholt)  is  supposed  to  have 
been  the  name  of  a  private  gentleman's  residence  in 

*  Life  of  Henry  Dunster,  First  President  of  Harvard  College. 
By  Rev.  Jeremiah  Cliaplin,  D.  D.     Boston,  1872.     pp.  87,  271. 

**  Rev.  Mr.  Hunter  (Willard  Memorial,  p.  345),  says:  "The 
Dunsters  of  America  are  fortunate  in  possessing  such  a  piece  of 
family  evidence  as  this  letter.  It  is  one  of  the  few  cases  which 
have  come  under  my  knowledge  in  which  New  England  families 
can  be  traced  by  evidence  that  is  indisputable  to  their  English 
home  when  they  had  abandoned  it  at  so  early  a  period." 


2  HENRY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS.  , 

Bury,  Lancashire.  These  letters,  with^others  to  friends 
in  Bury,  indicate  the  phice  of  his  residence,  and  in  all 
l^robability  of  his  birth,  the  date  of  wliich  cannot  be 
exactly  ascertained,  bnt  was  about  1610-12.  His  father, 
Henrye,  had  four  sons  (see  Balelioult  Letter),  Henry, 
Richard,  Thomas  and  Eobert,  and  two  or  three  daugh- 
ters, only  one  of  whom  is  mentioned  by  name  in  the 
letter.  Bichard  came  to  this  country,  as  appears  both 
from  the  letter  and  from  the  college  memoranda,  in 
1640,  but  nothing  further  is  definitely  known  of  him. 

This  letter,  which  is  referred  to  in  a  manuscript  sketch 
of  the  Dunster  family  .prepared  by  the  Rev.  John  Mar- 
rett,  [Harv.,  1763, J  was  long  supposed  to  be  lost.  It  was 
found  in  the  year  1853  by  my  son,  Edward  S.  Dunster, 
at  that  time  a  student  in  Harvard  College,  in  the  house 
of  Miss  Hannah  Dunster,  of  Pembroke,  Mass.,  and  was 
by  her  presented  to  him,  with  other  papers  and  books 
which  had  been  the  property  of  President  D.  She  was 
great  grand-daughter  of  President  D. ,  and  was  then 
eighty-four  years  of  age,  the  sole  living  descendant  of 
her  branch  of  the  family.  The  letter,  herewith  ap- 
pended, was  published,  together  with  the  other  papers, 
under  the  editorship  of  tlie  Rev.  Samuel  Sewell,  of  Bur- 
lington, Mass.,  in  the  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.,  IV  Series,  Vol. 
IL,  p.  190. 

THE   BALEHOULT   LETTER. 

Grace  mercy  and  peace  bee  multiplyed  in  Christ  Jesus 
vppon  you  Amen  Kind  and  Louinge  Sonns  I  am  very 
glad  of  your  wellfare  and  good  psperity  I  haue  receiued 
4  letters  from  you  since  you  Ariued  m  new  England  the 
first  dated  the  17tli  of  August  by  Robte  Haworth  of 
Boulton  the  second  dated  the  21tli  of  August  both  wch 
came  to  my  hands  in  seauen  weekes  after  you  sent  them 
the  Redd  wheat  I  receiued  but  ye  Lidian  wampeupegs* 
weare  lost  out  of  your  letter  the  third  was  dated  ye  29tli 
of  8ber  wch  I  receiued  on  christms  eue  wth  a  letter  of 
Richards  inclosed  in  the  same  the  last  dated  the  12th  of 
Sber  wch  I  receiued  of  one  Millns  that  had  beene  wth 

*  The  wampenpeg  was  the  Indian  money,  each  piece  being  of 
the  value  of  about  the  sixth  of  a  penny. 


THE    BALEHOULT   LETTER.  6 

you  in  new  England  who  lodged  with  me  uboiit  mid 
January  but  it  seemcs  it  should  haue  come  by  Colier  your 
Sisters  remember  theire  loues  vnto  you  both  but  you 
must  not  expect  tliem  so  longe  as  your  motber  and  J  do 
line  your  brotber  Thomas  remembers  his  lone  and  bath 
sent  yon  2  dozen  of  Almanacks  but  now  be  is  a  widdow- 
er  for  both  wyffe  and  chyln  are  deade  since  micbaellms  I 
pray  god  he  take  good  wayes  I  do  not  know  of  any  that 
you  sent  for  that  entend  to  come  as  yett  Touciiinge 
Riciiard  I  would  aduise  him  not  to  come  over  againe  as 
yett  for  what  soeuer  is  his  due  shall  bee  left  in  the  hands 
of  his  sisters  for  I  haue  taken  a  generall  aqnitance  of 
Eobte  so  tbat  Richard  and  bis  sisters  may  haue  what  wee 
two  ould  folke  leaue  and  wee  shall  make  no  willfull  wast 
now  concerninge  our  England  since  you  went  ouer  wee 
have  beene  sore  troubled  for  the  Scotts  came  into  Eng- 
land a  month  afore  michaelhns  and  came  to  Tyne  watter 
where  some  of  oiir  Troupers  laye  the  Scotts  proffered  to 
come  over  and  our  men  wtbstood  them  for  a  while  but 
ours  beinge  but  500  weare  not  able  to  wthstand  30  Thou- 
sand but  iledd  amaine  insomuch  as  one  Constable  a  gen- 
tleman of  a  company  cryed  to  his  band  Ryde  theeues  Ryde 
for  your  lyues  and  he  himselfe  for  his  pte  Ridd  so  fast  yt 
he  lost  his  capp  and  mist  it  not  of  rydinge  two  myles 
Then  the  Scotts  came  pedentim  towards  newcastle  in 
some  203  [2  or  3  ?]  dayes  where  ye  yealded  the  towne 
immediatly  Then  was  England  in  a  fright  for  the  did 
not  knowe  what  to  doe  but  att  last  all  the  freehoulders 
and  trayned  bande  weare  caled  togather  every  Hundred 
by  itseli'e  and  trayned  for  a  fortnight  togather  also  all 
betwixt  16  and  60  weare  caled  togather  so  that  vpon  the 
8th  of  7ber  beinge  Bury  fayre  there  was  at  Burye  40 
Thousand  wth  such  weapons  as  ye  could  gett  and  those 
that  had  no  better  tooke  euery  one  a  great  clubb  and  it 
was  caled  Club  fayre  att  Burye  and  all  the  prouision  for 
the  fayre  was  eaten  vpp  that  daye  So  that  ye  SOO  wliicli 
trayned  there  weare  scanted  for  a  fortnight  after  of  vit- 
uals  the  Buchers  and  Allewyues  made  a  gayne  of  them 
Then  great  troups  of  Souldiers  weare  sent  into  yorkeshire 
and  it  was  thought  that  there  would  haue  beene  some 
Batayle  speedely  Butt  the  Lord  turned  all  to  peace  and 


4  HEXRT    DUXSTER   AXD   HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

a  Parliment  [The  long  Parliament.]  was  calerl  which 
began  the  third  of  9ber  and  the  goe  on  very  Joyffully 
god  bee  praysed  for  the  same  And  the  Scotts  are  to  re- 
moue  from  newcastle  before  the  25th  of  march  and  the 
must  receiue  300  Thousand  pounds  to  bringe  them 
Avliome  againe  Xow  for  our  great  men  of  England  the 
most  of  them  are  proued  traytors  first  lord  deputy  [Straf- 
ford.] of  Ireland  and  the  Archbishopp  of  canterbury 
[Land — Botli  were  subsequently  executed.]  and  the  great 
Judges  the  rest  of  the  Bishops  are  found  in  a  premunire 
except  the  bishopp  of  Lincolne  who  is  suffered  to  bee  in 
tlie  parliment  house  all  the  rest  are  Excluded  finch  ye 
lord  keeper  is  fledd  Avyudebancke  the  kings  cheeflfe  secre- 
tary is  fledd  the  Bishopp  wrenn  [Chaplain  to  Charles  I.] 
had  thought  to  haue  flowen  but  his  wings  weare  to  short 
All  non  conformists  are  suffred  to  preach  and  our  Altars 
are  some  of  them  puld  vpp  Surplusses  and  communion 
books  some  torne  the  communion  tabls  brought  downe 
into  tlie  bodye  of  the  church:  Burton  and  Preen  are 
brought  into  the  Parliment  house  wth  great  respect  and 
weare  mett  out  of  the  citye  Avith  200  couches  in  triumphe 
so  that  ye  kinge  did  take  it  somwhat  harshly  and  said  so 
many  did  not  meete  him  when  he  came  from  Yorke  from 
quietinge  the  Scotts  many  peticions  are  prfered  into  the 
Parliment  against  Idle  dronken  ministers  and  against 
double  beneficed  parson  [s]  and  suite  made  that  all  Chap- 
pells  shall  be  reliued  out  of  church  Linings  your  sister 
Elizabeth  is  turned  scribe  and  can  do  very  well  of  3 
weeks  tyme  I  pray  you  giue  Kichard  good  counssell  and 
bee  the  meanes  to  trayne  him  vpp  in  goodness  and  make 
much  of  each  other  for  it  repenteth  mee  very  sore  of  my 
lyffe  heretofore  spent  in  Idle  company  and  I  thanke  god 
hartelye  that  plonged  my  lyffe  to  see  my  erors  and  foly 
The  ould  Lady  Ash  ton  and  Mr.  Rawsthorns  heire  dyed 
wtliin  2  howers  togather  vpon  wednessday  afore  candlms 
and  weare  buried  att  burye  both  in  one  graue  vpon  the 
monday  followinge  The  papists  had  conspired  wth  ye 
deputye  of  Ireland  to  sett  fightinge  in  the  north  pts  that 
ye  might  haue  begun  in  the  south  where  the  should  haue 
had  ayde  out  of  Ireland  and  the  Spaniard  laye  watchinge 
vppon  the  seas  likewise  to  haue  Ayded  them  but  the 


THE   BALEHOULT    LETTER.  5 

Holandei's  moetinge  wth  them  gaue  them  a  great  shake 
and  scattered  them  sore  so  that  wee  may  well  say  that 
man  i)urposseth  bnt  god  dis})osseth  my  lord  saye  and  my 
lord  Brooke  are  sworne  of  the  kings  priuy  Counssell 
whose  lyves  ye  byshops  had  ment  to  hane  taken  away  not 
long  since  your  ould  friend  doctor  Cossins  for  his  hon- 
esty is  put  in  the  cage  to  see  if  he  can  singe  well  or  no 
All  the  monepolies  for  lycencesses  are  disanulled  so  that 
euery  man  may  buye  and  sell  att  theire  pleasure  wthout 
controule  we  haue  gotten  ould  Mr  Horocks  to  bee  lec- 
turer att  Burye  euery  thursday  he  begun  afore  christms 
and  hath  promised  for  a  tweueluemonth  if  god  spare  him 
health  and  abilitie  Mr  Ashton  of  Midleton  is  one  of  our 
knights  for  the  Parliment  who  hath  wth  him  for  aduise 
and  counssell  your  friend  ould  Mr,  Rathband  who  hath 
beene  wth  him  since  it  began  The  Scotts  assone  as  the 
came  to  new  castle  sange  the  74th  psalme:  why  art  thou 
lord  so  longe  from  vs  &c  [Sternhold  and  Hoi^kins's 
version.]  many  great  men  are  thought  to  bee  faulty  as 
I  writt  afore  Thus  committinge  you  bothe  to  the  ptection 
of  the  Allmighty  I  rest 

Your  louing  father 

Henrye  Dunster 
from  Balehoult  *  this 
20th  of  March  1640 
This  letter  comes 
by  London." 

Henry  was  educated  at  Magdalen  College,  Cambridge, 
Eng.,  whence  he  was  graduated  A.  B.  in  1630,  and  A. 
M.  in  1634.     The  University  here  had,  from  an  early 

*  Mr.  Ellison,  of  Dover,  N.  H.,  who  was  born  and  reared  in 
Bury,  and  who  is  an  engraver  to  calico  printers,  and  tlierefore 
accustomed  to  exact  drawing,  gave  me  a  sketch  of  the  vicinity, 
on  which  lie  has  marked  a  place  still  called  Duustar's.  It  is  on 
the  Ramsbottom  road,  about  a  mile  and  a  half  from  the  Burj- 
bridge,  over  the  river  Irwell,  and  near  the  East  Lancashire  rail- 
road. He  has  also  located  the  place  called  Billyholt  and  the  Bol- 
holt  print  works  on  a  cross-road  running  between  the  Tottiugton 
road  and  Walshaw  lane,  about  a  mile  from  Bur}^  liridge. 

Rev.  Mr.  Sewall,  the  transcriber  of  the  letter,'had  also  obtained 
from  England  independent  and  conclusive  testimony  to  same 
purport.     [S.  D.] 


6  HEXJIY    DUNSTER   AND   Hfs   DESCENDAXTS. 

period,  a  reputation  for  liberality  of  opinion  far  beyond 
that  of  her  ancient  rival,  Oxford,  and  it  is  not  at  all  sur- 
prising that  so  many  of  her  graduates,  who  were  driven 
fi'om  home  by  the  then  existing  intolerance  toward  non- 
conformists, were  found  among  the  early  settlers  of  Xew 
England.  Among  his  contemporaries  at  Cambridge, 
were  Jeremy  Taylor  and  John  Milton,  Ralph  Cudworth 
and  John  Pearson,  John  Harvard  and  others,  who  sub- 
sequently became  more  or  less  distinguished.  He  was 
trained  for  the  ministry,  but  it  is  questionable  whether 
he  ever  took  orders  in  the  church;  and  after  a  few  years 
spent  in  teaching,  he  emigrated  to  this  country,  appa- 
rently, so  far  as  we  now  know,  with  no  settled  purpose. 
He  was  a  man  of  retiring  disposition,  .and  although  hold- 
ing to  the  most  positive  conviction  of  duty,  he  was  by 
nature  opposed  to  controversy  and  strife;  and  so  we  may 
with  propriety  assume  that  he  was  influenced  in  his 
movements  Ijy  a  desire  to  avoid  taking  part  in  the  angry 
scenes  just  then  commencing  in  England,  which  cul- 
minated in  the  establishment  of  the  protectorate  under 
Cromwell  and  the  execution  of  King  Charles  and  some 
of  his  ministers. 

He  arrived  in  Boston  "  toward  the  latter  end  of  this 
Summer,''  [1640J*  and  for  a  short  time  resided  "^'on  his 
own  estate  at  the  IS'orth  East  Corner  of  Court  Street  and 
Washington  Street."  **  His  reputation  as  a  ripe  scholar 
had  evidently  preceded  him,  for  "immediately  upon  his 
arrival  he  was  waited  on  by  the  Governor,  magistrates, 
elders  and  ministers"  and  asked  "by  a  sort  of  acclama- 
tion and  general  consent"  to  remove  to  Cambridge  and 
assume  the  Presidency  of  the  College — a  work  which 
proved  to  be  his  great  life-occupation.  As  to  his  fitness 
for  this  Avork,  there  is  abundant  contemporaneous  testi- 
mony. Johnson,  in  his  "  Wonder- Working  Providence," 
says  he  was  "fitted  from  the  Lord  for  the  work,  and  by 
those  that  have  skill  in  that  way,  reported  to  be  an 
able  proficient  in  Hebrew,  Greek  and  Latin  languages." 

*  Jolinson.  Wonder-Working  Providence  of  Sions  Saviour  in 
New  England,  p.  162. 

**  Wbitmau.  Hist.  Ancient  and  Honorable  Artillery.  Quoted 
by  Chaplin. 


COXDUCTING    THE   COLLEGE    AFFAIRS.  7 

Prince  speaks  of  him  as  ''one  of  the  greatest  masters  of 
the  Oriental  languages  that  hath  been  known  in  these 
ends  of  the  earth.'*  Shepard,  the  pastor  at  Cambridge, 
calls  him  "a  man,  pious,  painful,  and  fit  to  teach,  and 
very  fit  to  lay  the  foundations  of  the  domestical  affairs 
of  the  College;  whom  God  hath  much  honored  and 
blessed."  Quincy,  Pierce,  and  Eliot — the  modern  his- 
torians of  Harvard  College — have  also  recorded  their 
testimony  as  to  the  purity  and  nobility  of  his  character, 
and  his  great  success  in  both  the  executive  and  the  teach- 
ing departments  of  the  College. 

Thus  fitted  by  education'  as  well  as  by  an  experience 
of  several  years  in  teaching,  he  entered  u])on  the  work  of 
organizing  and  conducting  the  College  affairs.  The  Col- 
lege had  been  already  established,  but  it  was  little  else 
than  an  advanced  school.  The  first  allusion  in  colonial 
history  to  it,  is  in  an  order  of  the  General  Court,  Oct. 
28,  163G,  making  a  grant  of  £400  ''towards  a  schoale  or 
colledge,  whearof  200/.  to  bee  paid  the  next  yeare,  and 
200/.  when  the  worke  is  finished.''  There  is,  however, 
great  doubt  whether  any  of  this  grant  was  ever  paid. 
The  Rev.  John  Harvard,  from  whom  the  College  takes 
its  name,  died  in  1638,  and  by  his  will  left  the  half  of 
his  property,  about  £700,  and  his  library,  numbering 
300  volumes,  in  aid  of  the  College.  This  was  its  actual 
beginning,  for  it  is  certain  nothing  had  hitherto  been 
done  in  the  way  of  starting  the  enterprise.  A  class  of 
liupils  at  once  began  study  under  Nathaniel  Eaton,  the 
master,  though  little  was  accomplished  in  the  direction 
of  securing  any  plan  of  organization.  Cotton  Mather 
speaks  of  Eaton  as  "a  blade,  who  marvellously  deceived 
the  expectations  of  good  men  concerning  him;  for  he 
was  one  fitter  to  be  the  master  of  a  Bridewell  than  a  Col- 
ledge." He  is  remembered  to-day  only  for  his  cruelty 
and  his  avarice,  qualities  not  especially  desirable  in  lay- 
ing the  foundation  of  an  institution  whose  purpose  was 
to  "advance  learning  and  peri)etuate  it  to  posterity." 
The  task  before  the  incoming  President  was,  in  view  of 
this  state  of  affairs,  no  ordinary  one,  but  it  is  conceded 
on  all  sides  that  he  was  fully  competent  for  it. 

Soon  after  removing  to  Cambridge,  he  united  with  the 
*2 


8  '  HENRY    DUNSTER    AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

church  there  on  confession  of  faith.*  This  would  seem 
to  imply  either  that  he  had  hitherto  declined  to  partici- 
pate in  any  church  organization,  or  if,  as  stated  by  Cot- 
ton Mather,  he  had  taken  orders  in  the  English  church, 
he  must  now  have  renounced  all  such  connection,  for 
he  was  styled  "an  orthodox  preacher  of  the  truths  of 
Christ."  There  are  many  references  to  his  supplying 
the  pulpit  in  Cambridge  and  the  vicinity  during  his 
Presidency,  and  he  took  a  prominent  part  in  founding 
the  church  at  Woburn.  He  manifested  great  interest  in 
the  education  and  conversion  of  the  Indians,  and  joined 
heartily  with  John  Eliot  and  the  Mayhews  in  this  work. 
Lechford,  the  Boston  lawyer,  says  of  him  in  this  con- 
nection: "He  will,  without  doubt,  prove  an  instrument 
of  much  good  in  this  country,  being  a  good  scholar  and 
having  skill  in  the  tongues.  He  will  make  it  good  that 
the  way  to  instruct  the  Indians  must  be  in  their  own 
language,  not  English."  The  second  charter  of  the  Col- 
lege, obtained  in  1650  on  his  express  petition,  declares 
its  object  is  to  include  "the  education  of  the  English 
and  Indian  youth  of  this  country  in  knowledge  and 
godliness."  » 

Besides  the  business  of  instruction  and  discipline  ** 
which  largely  devolved  on  him,  he  was  charged  with  the 
adminstration  of  the  College  matters,  even  down  to  such 
particulars  as  the  direction  of  the  Commons,  the  keep- 
ing of  the  students'  accounts***  (their  bills  being  mostly 

*  His  religious  experiences  are  given  at  length  in  a  manuscript 
volume  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  Shepard,  entitled,  "  The  Confessions 
of  Diverse  propounded  to  be  received,  and  were  entertained  as 
members."  This  volume  is  now  in  the  library  of  the  Historic 
Genealogical  Society  of  Boston.     Vide  Chaplin  loc.  cit.,  p.  257. 

"^*  Corporal  punishment,  which  had  been  introduced  from  the 
English  Universities,  flourished  at  Harvard  in  its  earlier  days, 
and  the  President  personally  attended  to  this  duty. 

***  In  the  College  Library  there  is  still  preserved  an  account 
book,  in  President  D.'s  handwriting,  wherein  each  student  is 
charged  with  the  different  articles  which  he  consumed.  In  the 
same  book,  also  in  his  writing,  is  the  original  sketch  of  the  first 
seal  of  Harvard  College,  with  its  simple  motto,  "  VERITAS," 
and  a  record  of  the  vote  which  authorized  its  adoption: 

"C    At  ye  meeting  of  3^e  Governors  of  Harvard  Colledge  in 


COLLEGE    DISCIPLINE.  9 

paid  in  commoditiGs),  the  construction  of  the  College 
edifice  and  the  President's  house,  the  collection  of  his 
own  salary,  &c.  The  requisites  for  admission  into  Col- 
lege, the  details  of  the  course  of  study,  and  the  rules  and 
precepts  for  the  government  of  the  students,  were  pre- 
pared by  him;  and  Quincy  says  that  the  principles  of 
education  established  by  him  were  not  materially  changed 
during  the  whole  of  the  seventeenth  century.  In  Col- 
lege discipline  he  appears  to  have  availed  himself  of  the 
common  belief  of  the  age  in  the  active  agency  of  malevo- 
lent yet  invisible  beings,  and  there  is  a  tradition  in  the 
family  of  his  having  formally  exorcised  the  Evil  One,* 
whom  the  students  on  one  occasion  had  raised,  but  were 

Colledge  Hall,  this  27  of  lOtli  1643  *  *  *  It  is  ordered  y.at 
yere  shall  be  a  Colledge  seal  in  form  following."  A  fac-simile  of 
which  is  on  the  title  page. 

Mr.  Benjamin  Homer  Hall,  in  his  Chapter  on  the  "  Commons," 
Harvard  Book,  Vol.  H.,  p.  83,  saj's:  "The  great  wisdom  of 
President  Dunster  appears  nowhere  more  clearly  then  in  the 
capacity  which  he  exhibited  in  dealing  with  the  details  of  the 
business  to  which  he  gave  the  strength  of  his  manhood  and 
wealth  that  he  could  ill  afford  to  spare."  After  further  compli- 
mentary notice,  he  quotes  in  full  the  "  orders"  prepared  by  Presi- 
D.,  "by  the  scholars  and  officers  of  the  College,  to  be  observed, 
written  28th  March,  1650." 

*  Raising  the  devil  was  understood  in  a  very  different  sense  in 
the  middle  of  the  17th  century  from  that  which  now  obtains 
among  College  boys.  There  was  a  seriousness,  not  to  say  sol- 
emnity, about  the  business  which  ill-accords  with  the  frivolity 
of  modern  College  pranks.  On  whatever  the  tradition  may  have 
been  based,  it  certainly  dates  far  back  in  the  histor}^  of  the  fam- 
ily, being  found,  in  almost  identical  terms,  in  branches  which 
were  separated  as  early  as  1741  and  have  had  little  or  no  associa- 
tion since.  For  the  tradition  in  full,  see  response  by  Samuel 
Dunster  in  Proceedings  Centennial  Celebration,  Town  of  Mason, 
N.  H.     By  John  B.  Hill.     Boston,  1870.     p.  80. 

This  story,  perhaps,  might  have  had  its  origin  from  the  famous 
interview  between  the  President  of  the  College  and  the  Cambridge 
pastor  on  the  ciuestion  of  infant  baptism.  Mather  Ma2:nali^ 
Vol.  n.,  p.  96,  and  Life  H.  D.,  p.  106.  Having  failed  to  an.swer 
the  President's  logic,  the  "Matchless  Mitchel "  wrote  in  his  diarj-, 
Dec.  24,  1653,  "  After  I  came  from  him  (Mr.  D.)  I  had  a  strange 
experience.  I  found  hurrying  and  pressing  suggestions  against 
Paedobaptism.  *  *  *  Yef,  methought,  it  was  not  hard  to 
descern  that  the}-  were  from  the  Evil  One."  In  that  day  this  was 
the  tribunal  of  last  resort  in  knotty  questions  of  orthodox}'. 


10  HENRY    DUNSTER  AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

unable  to  allay.  Under  Dnnster,  the  College  prospered, 
and  he  was  found  equal  in  all  respects  to  the  expecta- 
tions which  had  been  formed  of  him.  "  That  which  was 
before" — says  the  historian  Hubbard — "but  at  best  a 
scJwIa  illustra  grew  to  the  stature  and  perfection  of  a 
College"  and  "soon  acquired  so  high  a  reputation  that 
in  several  instances  youth  of  opulent  families  were  sent 
over  to  receive  their  education  in  New  England."  In 
addition  to  the  College  work  of  so  diversified  a  character, 
he  found  time  to  correspond  with  learned  men  abroad, 
and  to  devote  his  personal  attention  to  the  supervision, 
through  the  press,  of  several  publications.  The  first 
printing  press  in  North  America,  was  set  up  in  Cam- 
bridge, in  1639,  "  as  an  appendage  of  Harvard  College;'" 
for  it  was  considered  too  powerful  an  engine  for  good  or 
evil  to  be  entrusted  in  private  hands,  and  accordingly 
for  more  than  a  hundred  years  it  was  kept  under  the 
supervision  of  the  General* Court.  In  1641  it  was  put 
under  President  D.'s  management,  and  it  was  transferred 
to  the  President's  house,  where  it  remained  until  1655. 
Among  its  earlier  issues,  was  "  The  whole  Booke  of 
Psalmes  Faithfully  Translated  into  English  Metre." 
This  book,  now  known  as  the  "Bay  Psalm  Book,"  ap- 
peared in  two  editions — 1640  and  1647.  The  translation 
was  made  by  three  well  known  ministers  of  the  day — 
Mather,  of  Dorchester,  and  Eliot  and  Weld,  of  Pox- 
bury — and  it  was  intended  to  take  the  place  of  the  Stern- 
hold  and  Hojikins'  version,  in  which,  as  is  well  known, 
the  translation  was  often  very  inaccurate,  while  the  ver- 
sification, as  Mr.  Chaplin  says,  "was  too  rugged  even 
for  our  not  very  fastidious  fathers."  The  new  version 
"did  not,  however,"  says  Neal,  "satisfy  the  expectations 
of  judicious  men,"  and  accordingly  for  a  further  im- 
provement it  was  committed  to  the  President.  Associa- 
ted with  him  in  the  work  of  "revising  and  polishing,'* 
was  Mr.  Richard  Lyon,  and  the  result  of  their  combined 
labors  seems  to  have  been,  on  the  whole,  very  satisfac- 
tory, for  in  its  new  form  the  book  passed  through  more 
than  fifty  editions.     The  poetry  *  was,  it  is  true,  a  little 

*  Mr.  Chaplin,  in  his  life  of  President  D.,  says:     "  The  Orien- 
tal learning  necessary  for  the  work  of  revision,  was  probably  sup- 


TRANSLATION    OF   THE    PSALMS.  11 

rough  and  shak\-,  tliongli  a  great  imi)rovement  on  the 
prior  editions.  The  authors  tliemselves  seem  to  liave 
had  mild  doubts  as  to  the  smoothness  of  the  metre,  for 
in  tlieir  preface  they  say,  ''If  the  verses  are  not  always 
as  elegant  as  some  desire  or  expect,  let  them  consider  that 
God's  altar  needs  not  our  polishing;  we  have  respected 

plind  in  the  main  by  tlie  President,  and  this,  we  judge,  was 
worked  up  into  sometliing  like  poetry  bj'  the  junior  partner  in 
the  enterprise;  for  Mr.  Lyon,  we  are  told,  added  to  the  original 
work  a  number  of  songs  and  rhymes  of  his  own  composition.  It 
is  due  to  Mr.  Dunster's  memor}-  to  relieve  him,  if  possible,  of  the 
charge  of  furnishing  the  poetrj'."'  It  gives  us  pleasure  to  be  able 
to  exonerate  the  pai-tnership  from  at  least  one  poetic  error,  which 
we  fear  Mr.  C.  himself,  or  his  printer,  is  justh'  chargeable  with. 
In  printing  as  a  specimen  of  the  work  the  first  psalm,  he  gives 
the  third  verse,  viz. : 

He  shall  be  like  a  planted  tree 

b}'  water  brooks  which  shall 
In  his  due  season  j-ield  his  fruit, 

whose  leaf  shall  never  fail. 

Fail  in  the  last  line  should  read  fall.  The  word  shall  in  those 
daj's  was  generally  pronounced  with  a  broad  Scotch  accent  so  as 
to  rhyme  with  fall.  Scott — Lady  of  the  Lake,  Canto  4,  XVII., 
1.  2-i— makes  shall  rhyme  with  all.  The  modern  change  in  pro- 
nunciation has  made  many  other  of  those  old  rhj'mes  uncouth. 
In  Sternhold  and  Hopkins'  version,  the  first  verse  of  this  psalm 
reads : 

The  man  is  blest  that  hath  not  lent  to  wicked  men  his  ear: 
Nor  led  his  life  as  sinners  do,  nor  sat  in  scorner's  chair. 

I  can  remember  well  the  very  common  pronunciation  of  the 
word  chair  as  if  it  were  spelled  cheer.  For  the  following  amusing 
illustration  of  this  I  am  indebted  to  Mr.  A.  A.  Tufts,  of  Dover, 
N.  H.  The  Rev.  Hugh  Adams,  minister  in  Durham,  N.  H., 
1718—1750,  was  a  graduate  of  Harvard  College,  in  the  class  of 
1697.  His  classmate,  Southmayd,  cut  the  legs  nearh'  off  a  chair, 
and  then  sent  Head,  another  classmate,  to  ask  Adams  to  visit  him. 
On  entering  the  room,-  he  was  politely  invited  to  be  seated.  The 
chair  gave  way,  and  Adams  found  himself  sprawling  on  the  floor. 
Collins,  a  fourth  classmate,  being  present  to  see  the  fun.  On  get- 
ting up,  Adams  immediately  made  this  parody  on  the  verse : 

Blest  is  the  man  who  hath  not  lent 

To  wicked  Read  his  ear, 
Nor  hath  his  life  like  Collins  spent. 

Nor  sat  in  Southmavd's  chair. 


12  HEifRY    DUNSTER   AND   HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

rather  a  plain  translation  than  to  smooth  our  verses  with 
the  sweetness. of  any  paraphrase.  We  have  attended 
conscience  rather  than  elegance,  fidelity  rather  than  in- 
genuity," &c.  The  quaint  Cotton  Mather  bears  his  tes- 
timony as  follows  :  "Now,  though  I  heartily  join  with 
those  gentlemen  who  wish  that  the  podry  hereof  were 
mended;  yet  must  I  confess  that  the  Psalms  have  never 
yet  seen  a  translation,  that  I  know  of,  nearer  to  the 
Hebrew  original.'' 

For  some  twelve  or  thirteen  years  Mr.  D.  remained 
President  of  the  College,  and  administered  its  afEairs 
with  eminent  success.  Indeed  it  is  doubtful  if  in  the 
early  history  of  Harvard  any  one  person  ever  had  so 
large  an  influence  in  perijetuating  her  existence  and 
shaping  her  policy  as  her  first  President.  But  at  this 
time  the  public  avowal  on  his  part  of  sentiments  of  op- 
position to  infant  baptism  created  an  intense  excitement 
in  the  colony,  and  roused  a  violent  spirit  of  opposition 
toward  him.  Says  Eliot,*  one  of  the  historians  of  Har- 
vard, "  the  orthodox  spirit  of  the  whole  colony  was  in- 
stantly roused;  and  the  strongest  because  involuntary 
testimony  is  borne  to  the  intellectual  power  and  moral 
influence  of  Dunster,  by  the  alarm  his  defection  excited, 
and  the  harsh  measures  dictated  by  that  feeling,  while 
his  conscientiousness  is  attested  by  the  meekness  of  his 
submission  to  the  rebukes  wliich  were  sternly  adminis- 
tered." 

The  first  public  and  official  movement  taken  against 
him  was  by  the  magistrates  who  sent  a  letter  to  the  min- 
isters in  the  early  part  of  the  year  1653,  directing  them 
to  make  an  examination  of  the  whole  matter  as  a  basis 
for  their  future  action.  Upon  this  a  conference  was 
held  at  Boston,  Feb.  2d  and  3d,  1653-4,  at  which  were 
present  nine  leading  ministers  of  Boston  and  vicinity, 
besides  Mr.  D.  and  two  ruling  elders,  twelve  in  all,  and 
before  them  Mr.  D.  publicly  defended  his  views.  The 
conference  labored  with  the  "erroneous  gentleman"  and 
endeavored  to  convince  him  of  his  mistake.  But  having 
failed,  as  Cotton  Mather  quaintly  puts  it,    "to  expedite 

*  Sketch  of  the  History  of  Harvard  College,  and  of  its  present 
state.     Boston,  1848.     p.  15. 


PRESIDENT    DUNSTER    RESIGNS.  13 

the  entangled  out  of  tlie  briars,"  the  General  Court,  in 
May  following,  passed  a  vote  commending  it  'Ho  the 
serious  consideration  and  special  care  of  the  overseers  of 
the  College  *  *  *  not  to  admit  or  suffer  any  such 
to  be  continued  in  the  ofltice  or  place  of  teaching  that 
have  manifested  themselves  uiisound  in  tlw  faitli/'  etc. 
Mr.  D.  understood  the  significance  of  this  action,  and 
the  next  month,  June  10,  1G54,  he  forwarded  through 
the  overseers  a  letter  of  resignation.  This  was  ''un- 
graciously "  accepted  by  the  Court  on  the  25th  of  the 
same  month  and  referred  back  to  the  overseers,  with  an 
order  to  secure  "  some  meet  person  to  carry  on  the  work 
of  the  College  "  in  case  he  (D.)  should  persist  in  his  reso- 
lution more  than  a  month.  Here  was  an  avenue  of  es- 
cape opened  to  him,  for  he  could  now  retain  his  position 
at  the  cost  of  silence  only.  Hubbard  says  he  might  have 
remained  "in  the  place  where  he  had  spent  the  choise 
part  of  his  studies  and  his  life  *  *  *  jf  l^g  i^.^j  been 
endowed  with  that  wisdom,  which  many  others  have 
wanted  besides  himself,  to  have  kept  his  singular  opinion 
to  himself,  when  there  was  little  occasion  of  venting 
thereof."  But  he  was  thoroughly  and  conscientiously 
an  honest  man — not  as  too  many  are  houest  only  from 
motives  of  policy — and  there  was  for  him  but  one  course 
to  pursue.  It  is  no  surprise,  therefore,  to  learn  that  in 
the  following  month,  July,  he  made  another  public 
avowal  of  his  sentiments,  on  the  Sabbath  day,  in  the 
church  at  Cambridge.  The  overseers  then  being  no 
longer  in  doubt,  and  feeling  that  he  was  past  recovery 
from  the  "briars"  aforesaid,  proceeded  "to  inform  him 
that  the  interests  of  the  College  and  the  colony  required 
his  removal."  Thereupon  a  second  time,  October  24-, 
1654,  he  sent  his  resignation,  the  final  one  to  the  over- 
seers. It  is  interesting  here  to  note  that  his  successor, 
Mr.  Chauncey,  who  was  appointed  a  few  days  subse- 
quently, was  notified  in  the  tender  to  him  of  the  posi- 
tion that  "it  was  expected  and  desired  that  he  forbear 
to  disseminate  or  publish  any  tenets  concerning  the  neces- 
sity of  immersion  in  baptism,  and  celebration  of  the 
Lord's  supper  at  evening,  or  to  oppose  the  received  doc- 
trines therein."     What  a  difference  between  the  two  men 


14  HENRY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

— the  one  sacrificing  his  position  rather  than  stultify  his 
conscience,  the  other  purchasing  a  place  on  the  condi- 
tion of  silence  as  to  doctrines  which  it  was  well  known 
he  entertained. 

For  his  offence  in  July,  Mr.  D.  was  indicted  some 
months  subsequently  by  the  grand  Jury,  the  present- 
ment being  "for  disturbance  of  the  ordinances  of  Christ 
uppon  the  Lord's  daye."  He  was  tried,  convicted  and 
sentenced  according  to  the  ecclesiastical  law,  "to  be 
publiquely  admonished  and  give  bond  for  his  good  ie- 
havior.''  A  second  time,  also  some  two  years  later — a 
child  having  meantime  been  born  to  him — he  Avas  in- 
dicted by  the  grand  jury  and  tried  by  the  County  Court, 
for  practically  the  same  offence,  the  presentment  being 
now  "for  not  bringing  his  child  to  the  Holy  Ordinance 
of  Baptisme."  He  was  again  convicted,  solemnly  ad- 
monished of  his  dangerous  error,  and  ordered  to  give 
bonds  for  his  appearance  at  the  next  court  of  assistants 
at  Boston.  The  bond  was  executed,  but  there  is  no 
record  of  any  further  proceedings  in  the  case. 

Eleven  days  after  his  forced  resignation,  Mr.  D.  sent 
to  the  General  Court  a  petition,*  wherein,  without  re- 
ceding in  the  slightest  particular  from  his  avowed  posi- 
tion, he  invoked  their  merciful  consideration  of  his  cir- 
cumstances. After  expressing  his  hope  that  it  might 
not  be  thought  nor  reported  that  he  "cast  off  his  place 
out  of  any  froward  morosity,  foolish  levity,  or  ingrateful 
despising,  either  of  the  Court's  forbearance  or  the  over- 
seers' amicable  conferences,"  he  makes  three  special  re- 
quests. First,  for  an  allowance  in  salary  which  had 
been  commended  to  the  Court  by  a  committee  thereof  ; 
second,  to  be  permitted  to  remain  in  the  President's 
house  during  the  settlement  of  his  accounts  with  the 
corporation,  and  third,  to  be  allowed  to  continue  in  the 
colony  in  the  work  of  teaching  or  preaching,  "  or  in  any 
other  laudable-  or  liberall  caling  as  God  shall  chalk  out 
my  [his]  wa^  "  This  appeal,  says  Quincy,  was  treated  in 
a  heart!  ay,  and  in  the  reply  to  the  third  request 

was  eq  •!  ■  to  warning  him  out  of  the  colony, 

*  T  'ns  petition  is  now  in  tlie  library  of  Harvard 

Colie' 


PRESIDEXT   DUNSTER    REMOVES   TO    SCITUATE.         15 

Xotwithstanding  this  contemptuous  treatment,  six  days 
later — Nov,  10,  1G5-J — he  sent  to  the  Court  a  brief  jnipcr 
of  "Considerations,"  intended  as  a  rejoinder  to  there- 
ply  of  the  Court  to  his  second  request,  which  had  been 
dismissed  "as  most  unreasonable.'"  These  considera- 
tions had  reference  to  the  matei'ial  circumstances  of 
himself  and  his  family,  and  to  the  necessity  of  his  re- 
maining at  Cambridge  in  order  to  acquaint  the  incoming- 
President  with  the  administration  of  the  College  duties. 
This  paper,  which  shows  not  only  a  most  positive  con- 
viction of  the  correctness  of  his  jiosition,  but  a  most 
commendable  spirit  of  submission,  closes  in  these  words: 
•'The  whole  transaction  of  this  business  is  such,  which 
in  the  process  of  time,  when  all  things  come  to  mature 
consideration,  may  very  ])robably  create  grief  on  all 
sides;  yours  subsequent,  as  mine  antecedent.  I  am  not 
the  man  you  take  me  to  be.  Neither  if  you  knew  what 
I  hold  and  why,  can  I  persuade  myself  that  you  would 
act,  as  I  am  at  least  tempted  to  think  you  do.  But  our 
times  are  in  God's  hands,  with  whom  all  sides  hope,  by 
grace  in  Christ,  to  find  favor,  which  shall  be  my  prayex 
for  you,  as  for  myself.''  The  "simple,  touching  pathos " 
of  this  appeal  was  not  without  effect,  and  he  was  allowed 
to  remain  until  the  following  March — some  three  months 
— in  the  President's  house.* 

Shortly  afterward  he  removed  to  Scituate,  in  the 
adjoining  colony  of  Plymouth,  which  was  mucli  more 
tolerant  in  religious  matters  than  her  sister  of  Massa- 
chusetts Bay.  Mr.  Deane,  in  his  history  of  the  place, 
sa3's,  "we  find  notices  of  him  the  same  autumn  (1G55) 
employed  in  the  ministry,  in  which  he  continued  nearly 
five  years."  His  persecutions  had  already  attracted  the 
attention  of  the  Baptists  of  the  mother  country,  and  on 
the  10th  of  July,  1656,  he  received  from  Mr.   Edward 

*  The  history  in  detail  of  this  treatment  of  Dunster — which 
was  a  notable  specimen  of  the  intolerance  of  the  early  settlers  of 
New  England — is  well  told  by  Mr.  Chaplin  in  his  life  of  Presi- 
dent D.  The  original  documents  bearing  upon  the  case  are 
quoted  in  full  l)y  him.  The  reader  who  may  desire  furtlier  in- 
formation regarding  the  matter  is  referred  to  this  book,  it  being 
i7npossible  here  to  give  more  than  this  brief  sumntary  of  the 
transaction 

3 


16  HENRY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

Eoberts,  a  leading  member  of  that  denomination  in  Dub- 
lin, a  letter,*  dated  Dublin,  3d,  1655,  urging  him  to 
make  that  place  his  home,  and  informing  him  that  £50 
had  been  granted  by  the  Lord  Deputy  (Henry  Crom- 
well, younger  son  of  the  Protector)  for  the  transporta- 
tion thither  of  himself  and  his  family.  The  invitation 
Mr.  D.  saw  fit  to  decline,  and  he  remained  in  the  place 
which  had  given  him  so  kindly  a  welcome,  and  which, 
says  Mr.  Chaplin,  deserves  honorable  mention  for  its 
friendly  treatment  of  dissenters. 

President  D.  died  at  Scituate,  Feb.  27,  1659-60.  In 
his  will,**  which  was  dated  Feb.  .  8,  1658,  he  directed 
that  his  body  should  be  transported  "  to  Cambridge 
there  to  be  enterred  by  my  [his]  lovinge  wife  [babes] 
and  other  relaccons;"  and  it  is  a  striking  evidence  of  the 
character  of  the  man  that  he  made  special  legacies  to 
persons  who  during  his  life  had  been  his  most  unrelent- 
ing persecutors.  Also  to  a  number  of  relatives  and 
friends,  among  whom  he  mentions  "my  cousin  Bow- 
ers,"^ "niy  cousin  fayth  Dunster,"^  "my  sister  Wil- 
lard  "^  and  "  sister  Hills*  and  all  her  children  borne  in 
this  country." 

*  The  original  of  this  letter,  which  is  a  remarkable  specimen  of 
chirography  for  that  day,  is  now  in  my  possession.  It  is  endorsed 
in  President  D.'s  handwriting — "Received  10th  of  July,  1656, 
from  ye  hand  of  Goodwife  Price,  ye  order  of  ye  consel  in- 
closed."    Unfortunately  the  order  has  been  lost. 

**The  original  of  President  D.'s  will  was  stolen  from  the 
Probate  ofRce  in  East  Cambridge  about  the  year  1850.  It  is  diffi- 
cult, therefore,  to  reconcile  the  discrepancy  in  different  copies 
between  the  words  "wife"  and  "babes."  Mr.  Pulsifer's  copy 
in  the  Probate  office  is  clear  and  distinct,  and  reads  "wife." 
Mr.  Harris,  Librarian  of  Harvard  College,  1831 — 1856,  and  who, 
with  his  son,  prepared  an  unpublished  memoir  of  President  D. , 
a  copy  of  which  I  was  kindly  allowed  to  make,  insisted  that  the 
word  in  the  original  was  "babes  "  A  copy  of  the  will,  in  the 
handwriting  of  Wm.  G.  Means,  in  the  library  of  Harvard  Col- 
lege, has  it"  "babes."  It  seems  probable,  from  internal  and  col- 
lateral evidence,  that  the  word  must  have  been  "babes."  For 
copy  of  the  will,  see  Chaplin,  loc.  cit,  p.  303.     [E.  8.  D.] 

1  Bowers  Bennaniel  and  Dunster  Elizabeth,  married  at  Cam- 
bridge, 9th  day  10th  month,  1653.  "  He  was  a  Baptist,  and  ar- 
rived at  the  distinction  of  being  more  frequently  fined  by  the 


PRESIDENT    DL'N"STER'S    PLACE    OF    BURIAL.  17 

The  place  of  burial  was  in  the  old  cemetery  opposite 
the  College  grounds,  a  few  rods  northwest  of  the  cliurch 
now  standing  therein.  Over  the  grave  was  })laced  a 
horizontal  slab  of  stone  with  an  inlaid  tablet  of  lead, 

County  Court  for  not  attending  public  worship  than  any  other 
man."     Willard  Memorial,  p.  341. 

^  Faith  married  John  Page,  of  Groton,  Mass.,  j\Iay  12,  1664. 
She  had  children  by  this  marriage  in  1669,  1672  and  1674.  See 
Butler's  Ilist.  Groton. 

^  It  has  been  a  question  of  considerable  debate,  whether  Major 
Simon  Willard's  third  wife  was  "sister"  or  "cousin"  of  Presi- 
dent D.  Dr.  Samuel  Willard  says  Mary  D.  was  the  third  wife  of 
Major  Willard  and  that  she  was  "  cousin."  The  question  is  dis- 
cussed at  some  length  in  the  Willard  Memorial  without  being 
authoritatively  settled,  but  a  tinal  reference  is  made  to  the  fact 
that  President  D.,  in  his  will,  calls  Major  W.'s  third  wife  his 
"sister;"  and  adds,  "if  this  expression  is  to  be  taken  literallj'  it 
ends  the  question." 

*  "  My  sister  Hills."  Joseph  Hills,  of  Maiden,  was  married 
four  times:  1.  Probably  in  England.  "Rose  Dunster,  sister  of 
Rev.  Henry  Dunster,  first  President  of  Harvard  College.  She 
died  at  Maiden,  March  1,  1650-1.  2.  Hannah,  widow  of  Edward 
Mellows,  married  June  24,  1651.  8.  Helen  Atkinson,  daughter 
of  Hugh  Atkinson,  of  Kendall  County,  of  Westmoreland,  Eng. 
Ceremony  performed  Jan.,  1655-6,  by  himself,  for  Avhich  he  was 
admonished  by  the  Court,  and  fined  £5.  4.  Ann,  widow  of 
Henry  Lunt,  March  8,  1664-5."  (Gen.  Sketch  of  Descendants  of 
Thos.  Greene.  App.  p.  71.)  His  third  wife  was  living  at  the 
date  of  President  D.'s  will,  and  had  probably  two  children  l)y 
Mr  H.  She  was  not  a  blood  relation  of  H.  D.,  neither  was  Mr. 
Hills.  Still  he  calls  her  "  sister  Hills."  Heretofore  it  has  been 
understood  that  she  was  his  natural  sister.  This  record  precludes 
that  relationship,  and  makes  her  sister  only  as  she  was  the  wife 
of  his  brother-in-law^  by  a  former  marriage.  The  language  of  the 
will  in  this  connection  is  peculiar:  "  Concerning  my  daughter 
Elizabeth  my  mind  and  will  is  that  she  shall  be  at  the  disposing 
of  her  mother  during  her  life  in  her  minority  and  in  case  of  my 
wive's  death  then  to  live  with  mj'  sister  Mrs.  Hills  of  Mauldon 
during  her  minority  and  faithfully  and  carefully  serve  her  as  if 
shee  were  her  own  child,  and  in  case  there  also  the  Lord  by 
death  should  make  such  uncomfortable  breaches  in  the  family 
that  shee  could  not  live  comfortably  there  then  she  shall  live  with 
my  sister  Willard  of  Concord."  Did  not  the  phrase  "Incase 
there  also  the  Lord  by  death"  allude  to  the  possible  death  of  Mr. 
Hills,  a  firm  friend  and  the  executor  of  his  will?  In  that  con- 
tingency, Elizabeth  would  be  left  with  a  step-aunt,  w^hose  own 
children  might  receive  her  best  affections. 


18  HENRY    DUNSTER    AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

upon  which  was  au  inscription.  This  tablet  has  disap- 
peared long  since,  and  is  supposed  to  have  "done  ser- 
vice for  the  country  in  the  shape  of  revolutionary  bul- 
lets." By  reason  of  this  loss,  as  well  as  by  many  years' 
neglect  of  the  grounds,  even  the  place  of  burial  became 
at  length  doubtful.  A  most  interesting  account  of  its 
re-discovery  and  identification  is  given  by  Mr.  Chaplin 
in  his  life  of  President  D.  This  account  was  written  by 
the  late  Mrs.  H.  C.  Conant,  a  sister  of  Mr.  Chaplin, 
who  derived  it  from  a  personal  narrative  of  Mr.  Sibley, 
then  assistant  librarian  of  the  College.  Mr.  T.  W.  Har- 
ris, the  librarian,  and  his  son,  W.  T,  Harris,  [Harvard, 
1846]  who  were  well  known  for  their  genealogical  and 
antiquarian  researches,  were  specially  prominent  in  the 
matter  of  the  identification  of  the  grave.  The  grave 
was  restored  by  the  order  of  the  College  authorities  in 
1845,  and  tiie  stone  slab  which  now  replaces  the  missing 
tablet  contains  the  following  epitaph  from  the  classic 
pen  of  Mr.  Charles  Folsom: 

HENRICUS  .  DUNSTER 

PRIMUS  .  COLLEGII  .  HARVARDINI  .  PE^-ESES 
VIR  .  PIETATE  .  DOCTRINA  .  PRUDENTIA  .  INSIGNIS 


GBTIT  .  SCITUAT^  .  AN  .  M.DC.LIX. 

HUC  .  TRANSLATUM  .  EST  .  CORPUS 

UT  .  QUOD  .  ILLE  .  IN  .  VOTIS  .  HABUERAT 

PROPE  .  ACADEMIAM  .  A  .  SE  .  TUM  .  NUTRITAM  .  IN  .  CUNABULIS 

EX  .  RE  .  FAJIILIARI 

TUM  .  RITIBUS  .  DISCIPLINIS  .  LEGIBUS  .  INSTRUCTAM 

REQUIESCERET 

MONUMENTUM  .  HOC  .  INJURIA  .  TEMPORIS  .  DIRUPTUM 

SOCII  .  .STERNUM  .  ACABEMI.E  .   DECUS  .  CURANTES 


REFICIENDUM  .  JUSSERUNT  .  AN  .  M.DCCC.XLY 


FAMILY    SECTIOXS.  19 


FAMILY    SECTIONS. 


THE    NUMBERS    OF   WHICH    ARE    REPEATED 

AT  THE  TOP  OF  THE  PAGES  IX  FULL 

FACE  FIGURES. 


Dunster  Henry 1 

Dunster  David 2 

■Dunster  Henry 3 

Dunster  Jonathan 4 

Wade — Thomas — Elizabeth  (Dunster) 5 

Dunster  Henry 6 

Carteret  Elizabeth  (Dunster)   7 

Dunster  David 8 

Dixon  Martha  (Dunster) 9 

Marrett  Mary  (Dunster) 10 

Cutler  Abigail  (Dunster) 11 

Dunster  Isaiah 12 

Dunster  Jason 13 

Taylor  Betty  (Dunster) 14 

Bemis  Molly  (Dunster) 15 

Dunster  Hubbard ...  16 

Dunster  Thomas 17 

Wilder  Marguary  (Dunster) 18 

Bailey  Ruhamah  (Dunster) 19 

Dunster  Henrv  Carteret .... 20 

Blood  Ruth  (Dunster) 21 

Dunster  Henry 22 

Swallow  Rebecca  (Dunster) .23 

AYright  Martha  (Dunster) 24 

Dunster  Isaiah 25 

Dunster  Jason 26 

Dunster  Samuel  Cutter 27 

Dunster  Jason 28 

Kimball  Mary  (Dunster) 29 

Dunster  Isaiah 30 

Russell  Betsey  (Dunster) 31 

Dunster  Samnel 32 

3* 


20 


HENRY    DUNSTER    AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 


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HENRY    DUNSTER.  21 


HENRY    DUNSTER. 


Fac-simile  of  autograph. 

1.  Hexry^  Duxster,  Rev.,  President  of  Harvard 
College,  from  Auo-.  27,  1640,  to  Oct.  24,  1654,  married 
June  21.  1641,  Elizabeth,  widow  of  the  Rev,  Jose,  Josse 
or  Joseph*  Glover.  She  died  Aug.  23,  1613.  "She 
was  l)uried  in  the  ancient  burying  ground  at  Cambridge 
and  has  a  stone  much  gone  to  decay."  There  were  no 
children  by  this  marriage.  He  married  a  second  time, 
Elizabeth,  (surname  unknown.)  The  date  of  this  mar- 
riage is  also  unknown.  There  is  a  tradition  that  she 
came  from  England  when  about  eighteen  years  old,  and 
was  soon  married.  She  appears  to  have  been  well  edu- 
cated and  to  have  had  a  superior  mind.  She  died  Sept. 
12,  1690.  The  Cambridge  epitaphs  state  she  was  sixty 
years  old.  This  is  an  evident  error,  or  she  would  have 
been  only  fifteen  years  old  when  their  eldest  child  was 
born,  which  is  very  improbable.  His  children,  all  by 
the  second  wife,  were: 

David  ^  Duxster,  born  May  16,  1645. 
Dorothy^  Dux^ster,  born  Jan.  29,  1647-8, 

died  young. 
Hex'RY'^  Dl'XSTER,  born  aljout  1650,  died 

young. 
Jo'xATHAX  ^  Duxster,  born  Sept.  28  or  Oct. 

27,  1653;  both  dates  appear  on  the  town 

records. 
5§.    V.     Elizabeth'  Duxster,  born  Dec.  29,  1656. 

*  According  to  the  Glover  Memorial  and  Genealogies,  the 
Christian  name  is  Joseph  on  the  church  records  at  Sutton  and 
wherever  it  occurs  in  English  records  and  in  the  English  County 
histories.     Sibley's  Harvard  Graduates,  p.  208. 


^§- 

1. 

ii. 

-5§. 

iii. 

4§. 

iv. 

22  HENRY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

2 

2.  David ^  Dunster*  {Henry^),  born  May  16,  1645, 
unfortunately  fell  under  public  censure.  At  the  County 
Court,  June  17,  1662,  being  only  seventeen  years  old,  he 
was  adjudged  guilty  of  a  youthful  indiscretion,  for  which 
he  was  sentenced  "  to  pay  a  fine  of  £20  to  the  use  of  the 
county  or  to  be  whipt  'and  also  to  give  £50  bond  with 
sufficient  securities  for  defraying  the  charges,"  which 
might  naturally  be  expected.  [Court  Record.)  He  soon 
after  went  to  England,  and  probably  never  returned. 
In  1664  his  mother,  who  was  his  guardian  and  who 
signed  the  £50  bond  on  his  behalf,  petitioned  the  Court 
for  relief,  alleging  that  she  "hath  been  at  great  charge 
and  expense  for  him  since  the  death  of  your  servant  his 
father:  1.  In  learning  here,  in  hopes  of  his  progress 
therein,  about  £100.  2.  His  voyage  to  England  in  hope 
to  settle  him  there  about  £50.  3.  To  Mr.  Stedman  ** 
towards  the  court's  sentence  £30.  4.  There  is  due  to  his 
sister  out  of  his  estate  by  will  £50  so  that  it  is  indeed 
doubtful  whether  he  have  any  clear  estate  of  his  own 
left  beyond  which  your  i:)etitioner  did  not  understand 
herself  to  be  engaged."  There  is  an  old  tradition  (Rev. 
Isaiah  Dunster's  Bible,)  that  President  Dunster's  son 
Henry  was  a  lawyer  in  England,  and  died  there  without 
issue.  This  tradition  may  be  safely  rejected  as  utterly 
false  in  regard  to  Henry,  who  undoubtedly  died  young, 
but  it  may  be  substantially  true  in  regard  to  David. 
Their  father  says  in  his  will:  "I  have  given  unto  my 
son  David  liberal  education  in  schools  of  learning  from 
his  childhood  unto  this  very  day;"  and  the  mother  says 
she  exi)ended  about  £100  during  the  next  three  years  for 
his  advancement  in  learning  here,  until  he  departed  for 
England.  A  proper  foundation  was  laid  for  subsequent 
legal  studies,  and  it  is  possible,  indeed  not  very  improb- 
able— and  it  is  surely  most  devoutly  to  be  wished — that 
he  may  have  become  a  successful  and  eminent  lawyer  in 
England,  but  we  have  no  certain  knowledge  of  his  his- 
tory after  he  left  Cambridge. 

*  Rev.  L.  R.  Paige,  Gen.  Reg.,  Vol.  XXVII.,  p.  307. 
**  The  County  Treasurer. 


HENRY    AND    JONATHAN    DUNSTER.  23 

3-4 

3.  Henry  ^  Dunster  {Henry ').  "Among  the  births 
recorded  in  Cambridge  in  1050  is  that  of  Henry,  son  of 
Henry  and  EHzabeth  Dunster,  but  neitlier  the  day  nor 
month  of  birth  is  indicated,  nor  does  the  name  subse- 
quently appear.  The  tradition  of  his  being  a  lawyer  has 
been  mentioned,  and  its  lack  of  probability.  There  can 
be  no  reasonable  doubt  that  he  died  before  Feb.  '■  8, 
1658-9,  the  date  of  his  father's  will.  Not  only  is  his 
name  omitted  while  other  children  are  specially  desig- 
nated, but  the  testator's  whole  estate  is  bequeathed  to 
others,  no  part  being  reserved  for  him  or  for  any  other 
person  not  named."  There  is  strength  in  the  conjecture 
that  he  and  his  sister  Dorothy  (ii)  were  the  "  babes  "  re- 
ferred to  in  the  will. 

4.  Jonathan''  Dunster  {Henry^),  born  Sept.  28 
or  Oct.  27,  1653,  was  a  farmer,  and  inherited  lands  lying 
on  both  sides  of  the  division  line  between  that  part 
•of  Cambridge  called  Menotomy  (now  Arlington)  and 
Charlestown  (now  Somerville).  In  the  Charlestown 
Eecords,  Dec.   30,  1706,  there  is  an  entry:     "Ordered 

"Also  to  Warn  A  Negro  Man  and  A  Negro 

woman  at  Mr.  Jona.  Dunster's,  to  remove  forthwith  out 
of  this  Towne  and  also  to  Warn  s'd  Dunster  that  he  En- 
tertain them  no  Longer  at  the  peril  of  the  law."  "Jona. 
Dunster  Tything  man  for  the  year  ensuing  March  y^  5"" 
1715-16."  So  that  at  this  time  he  resided  in  Charles- 
town. In  1095,  a  difficulty  arose  between  the  town  of 
Charlestown  and  Jonathan  Dunster,  of  Cambridge,  about 
a  landing  place  on  the  south  side  of  Mistick  river,  "and 
the  said  difference  not  yet  ended."  Charlestown  ap- 
pointed "  Capt.  John  Cutter  as  their  agent  to  prosecute 
the  same  to  effect,  and  the  said  Cutter  &  Dunster  not 
being  able  to  compose  the  s'd  difference,"  therefore  "  the 
above  named  Capt.  John  Cutter  &  Mr.  Jonathan  Dun- 
ston  agree.  Nominate  &  Choose,  James  Converse  of 
Wooburn  &  Lieut.  Peter  Tufts  *  *  *  to  hear  & 
determine  the  said  difference."  They  divided  the  land- 
ing place,  and  appear  to  have  dissatisfied  both  parties. 
Another  committee  was  appointed,  Avho  reported  that 
they  found  the  highway  called  the  Bridgeway  wch  goeth 
through  the  field   encroached  on   in   sundry  places  and 


24  HENRY    DUNSTER   A>rD    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

ploughed  up  &  sown  wth  Indian  corn  by  Mr.  Dunster 
*     *     *     but  denied  by  him  to  bee  any  townway." 

The  day  after  his  marriage  contract  with  Ruth  Eaton 
(Nov.  24,  1719),  he  gave  a  deed,  the  original  of  which 
is  now  in  my  possession,  as  follows: 

"To  all  Christian  People  To  whom  This  present  writ- 
ing shall  come.  Jonathan  Dunster  of  Charlestowne  in 
the  county  of  Middlesex  in  the  Province  of  the  Macsa- 
chusett  Bay  in  JSTew-England  Yeoman  sends  Greeting. 
Know  ye  That  I  the  sd  Jonathan  Dunster  (for  and  in 
consideration  of  the  natural  affection  I  have  and  bear 
unto  my  well  beloved  and  only  [by  his  first  wife]  son 
Henry  Dunster  of  Cambridge  *  *  *  husbandman — 
and  for  other  good  considerations  me  thereunto  moving) 
Have  given  and  granted  *  *  *  unto  the  sd  Henry  Dun- 
ster his  Heir  and  assigns  forever  the  one  full  moiety  or 
half  of  a  certain  piece  of  land  containing  by  estimation 
thirteen  acres  *  *  *  within  the  bounds  of  Cambridge 
aforesd   (on  part  of  which   the  house  and  Barn  of  sd 

Henry  Dunster  now  stands being  now  in  the 

actual  possession  of  sd  Henry)  bounded  Westerly  by  the 
Road  leading  to  Concord — Northerly  by  land  of  William 
Russell  and  J'ames  Smith  of  Boston  easterly  on  Woburn 
Road  leading  to  Charlestown — Southerly  by  Walter  Rus- 
sels  land — or  however  otherwise  butted  or  bounded." 
To  this  deed,  just  above  the  signature,  in  his  own  hand, 
is  written:  "  Memorandum,  it  is  to  be  understood  that 
I  give  this  in  part  of  my  Sons  portion  " 

''Jonathan  Dunster"  [sealj 

He  died  intestate  in  1725,  aged  about  72  years.  Henry 
Dunster,  his  son,  was  appointed  administrator,  his  widow 
having  refused  to  perform  that  duty.  His  estate  was  a 
long  while  unsettled.  Henry,  to  whom  as  the  oldest  son 
a  double  portion  was  set  off,  was  unwilling  to  accept  the 
award  of  the  committee,  (Messrs.  John  Fillebrown,  of 
Cambridge,  Robert  Converse  and  Josiah  Johnson,  of 
Woburn,  Stephen  Hall  and  William  Willis,*of  Medford,) 
and  complained  that  the  part  set  off  to  him  at  16s.  per 
acre  was  no  better  than  that  set  off  to  his  brothers  at  12s. 
Testimony  as  to  the  value  of  the  land  was  given  by 


SETTLEMENT   OF    JONATHAN'S    ESTATE.  25 

"Messrs.  William  Russell,  Gershom  Cutter  and  John 
Cutter,  good  friend  to  Henry  D."  The  papers  were  re- 
committed by  the  judge  to  the  committee,  who  reported 
that  "In  case  we  should  }iroceed  to  make  any  alteration 
as  we  proposed  it  would  no  wise  satisfie  the  uneasy  party, 
but  being  willing  To  be  resolved  by  the  party  him  self 
we  sent  and  desired  his  Company  with  us,  who  returned 
answer  that  he  had  run  after  us  long  enough  already. 
Whereupon  we  wrote  to  the  Gentleman  and  desired  he 
Avould  send  us  his  minde  in  the  same  way.  Whereupon 
he  Avrote  a  few  lines  Intimating  that  watt  we  proi)Osed 
was  yett  in  favor  of  the  other  party  without  even  sub- 
scribing the  same.  Therefore  we  are  humbly  of  Opinion 
there  is  not  any  Mesures  that  we  Can  Safely  Take  in 
Altering  Either  the  Valluation  or  Distribution  we  have 
already  perfected  that  will  make  that  uneasy  Gentleman 
any  satisfaction '"  *  *  *  The  judge  then  offered  the 
"same  to  Jonathan  the  2d  son  who  also  refused,  then 
to  Thomas  the  third  son  who  did  the  like,  then  to  the 
dec'ds  [deceased's]  youngest  son  DaviiJ  who  was  willing 
to  accept  thereof  at  the  Rate  in  the  Inventory."  "But 
afterwards  it  was  mutually  agreed  among  them  all  that 
each  person  should  take  their  propotion  in  Land  and 
they  propose  to  make  a  distrobution  among  themselves 
and  if  they  can't  do  it  they  are  to  come  upon  my  citation 
to  nominate  Comnir.  to  be  appointed  for  that  purpose." 
On  the  10th  of  July,  the  heirs  came  together  and  chose 
a  new  commission  of  five,  and  "they  are  to  divide  the 
whole  of  the  Real  Estate  of  ye  Dec'd  equally  among 
them  (Eldest  Son  two  parts)  and  what  each  has  had  in 
advance  to  be  considered."  "I  the  subscriber  relict 
widow  of  the  herein  before  named  decea'd  have  perused 
the  afore  written  accot  and  do  hereby  signify  my  satis- 
faction therewith.  her 

Ruth  B  Dunster." 
mark. 
{Court  Records,  CliarUstown,  Lib.  18.) 

Jonathan^  Dunster,  married  Dec  5,  16T8,  Abigail 
Eliot.  She  died,  and  he  married  Ajn-il  5,  1692,  Deborah 
Wade,  daughter  of  Major  Jonathan  Wade,  of  ^Nledford, 
and  grand-daughter  of  Gov.  Thomas  Dudley.     She  died, 


2G  HENRY    DUNSTER  AND   HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

6-7 

and  he  married  (contract  dated  Nov.  23,  1719,)  Euth^ 
widow  of  Joshua  Eaton,  of  Reading.  She  surviyed  him, 
and  married  Nov.  22,  1732,  Lieut.  Amos  Marrett,  of 
Cambridge,  and  was  published  Sept.  30,  1742,  to  Peter 
Hayes,  of  Stoneham. 

His  children  by  first  wife  were: 

6*§.  i.  Henry^  Dunster',  born  July  17,  1680,  m. 
Feb.  25,  1707-8,  Martha  Russel,  daughter  of  Jason  Rus- 
sel,  by  whom  he  had  eleven  children,  and  died  Jan.  28, 
1753.  His  widow  married  March  15,  1759,  Francis 
Locke.     {Book  of  Loches. ) 

ii.  Elizabeth^  Dunster,  born  Feb.  22,  1G81-2, 
died  young. 

His  children  by  second  wife,  Deborah  Wade,  were: 

iii.  Jonathan^  Dunster,  b.  about  1695,  at  Charles- 
town,  Mass.,  d.  April  11,  1742,  unm. ,  aged  47  years  and 
5  months.  He  left  by  will  his  property  to  his  brothers 
and  sisters.  The  inscription  on  his  grave  stone  at  Ar- 
lington is:  "  Here  lyes  Buried  ye  Body  of  Mr,  Jonathan 
Dunster,  who  departed  this  life  April  11,  Anno  Dom°' 
1742,  aged  47  years  &  5  mo." 

7  §.  iv.  Elizabeth^  Dunster,  b.  about  1699,  m. 
Capt.  Philip  Carteret,  or  DeCarteret,  and  died  Jan.  25, 
1787,  aged  87  years. 

V.  Thomas^  Dunster,  b.  at  Charlestown,  and  died 
between  April  3,  1726,  and  April  1,  1728.  He  is  men- 
tioned in  the  agreement  between  the  heirs  of  Jonathan" 
Dunster  as  having  lately  deceased  at  the  latter  date. 

vi.  Dorothy^  Dunster,  b.  about  1702,  admitted  to 
church  in  Medford — full  communion — April  21,  1728. 
She  Avas  married  April  13,  1732,  the  record  in  Charles- 
town  being:  "Mr.  Solomon  Page  of  Hampton  in  New 
Hampshire  and  Dorothy  Dunster  of  this  Town  were 
jovned  in  marriage  by  the  Rev'd  Mr.  Hull  Abbot  April 
13,  1732."  Mr.  Page  was  the  ninth  child  of  Samuel 
Page  by  his  second  wife,  Anne  Marshall,  whom  he  mar- 
ried Nov.  18,  1702,  and  was  born  March  16,  1710.  He 
graduated  at  Harvard  College,  1729,  and  was  admitted 
to  the  church  the  same  year.  {Hampton  Eecords.)  Mr. 
Pas'e  was    "schoolmaster  of   the  Town"   Avhen  a  son 


o. 


ri  I  JjoaJJL 


THE    PAGE    FAMILY.  '27 

named  Lemuel  was  baptized  Sept.  17,  1738.  He  sup- 
plied the  pulpit  in  Hampton  six  months  from  March  15, 
1733,  at  the  request  of  the  town,  "the  pastor  being- 
sick."  He  was  dismissed  by  tlie  church  to  the  Second 
Church  in  Salsbur}-,  Mass.,  Dec.  4,  1757,  after  which 
no  trace  of  him  could  be  found  until  the  present  montli 
(Aug.  1875).  A  letter  from  Mr.  A.  G.  Page,  of  Bath, 
Maine,  states  that  in  '•'the  old  grave  yard  at  Bath, 
Maine,  is  a  slate  stone  among  the  undergrowth  with  this 
inscription:'' 

''In  Memory  of 

Eev.  Mr.  Solomox  Page 

who  was  educated  at 

Harvard  College. 

He  departed  this  life 

March  12,  1788. 

Aged  78  years.'" 

His  wife  (Dorothy)  died  at  Hampton,  Oct.  13,  1741, 
aged  39  vears.  leaving  five  children: 


iii.  Hepsebeth*  Page,  born  about  173G,  died  at  Capt. 
Carteret's,  in  Cambridge,  Aug.  5,  17G5,  aged  29  years. 
Mrs.  Carteret  was  her  aunt.  (See  records  of  second  parish 
Cambridge,  now  Arlington,  by  Eev.  Samuel  Cooke.) 

iv.  Lemuel*  Page,  baptized  at  Hampton.  X.  H., 
Sept.  17,  1738. 

T.  SiMOX*  Page,  baptized  at  Xorth  Hampton,  X. 
H.,  May  11,  1740. 

Mr.  Page  married  again,  and  had  Judith  born  in  1743. 
and  Wilson  in  1745.  A  further  inquiry  of  Mr.  A.  C. 
Page,  elicited  the  fact  that  he  also  had  a  son  Edward 
H.,  who  had  descendants  in  Hartland,  Maine.  Thev 
could  give  no  record  of  Edward,  but  referred  to  Mr. 
William  H.  Page,  of  Syracuse,  Xebraska.  From  him 
was  learned  the  fact  that  Edward  H.  Page,  who  kept  the 
second  public  house  in  Bath,  died  there  in  1822,  and  was 
73  years  old,  therefore  was  not  a  son  of  Dorothy  (D) 
Page.  From  "William  H.  Page  was  also  learned,  that 
4 


28  HENRY    DUXSTER    AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

5 

Rev.  S.  Page  preached  the  first  sermon  in  the  first  Con- 
gregational Chnrch  at  Bath.  That  chnrch  was  torn 
down  fifty  years  ago.  It  is  hoped  that  the  "  Page 
Family "  will  fill  np  this  deficient  record. 

S.  Elizabeth^  Dunster  {Henry, '^)  was  hovn  Dec. 
29,  1G56.  Her  birth,  which  has  been  snjiposed  to  have 
been  in  Scituate,  is  recorded  in  Middlesex  County.  She 
was  the  child  whom  her  father  refused  to  bring  to  the 
"Holy  Ordinance  of  Baptisme,"  for  which  he  was  put 
under  bonds  for  "Good  Behavior."  This  transaction  is 
fully  recorded  by  Dr.  Chaplin  {Life  of  Henry  Dnnster, 
2)p.  153 — 165).  She  lived  with  her  mother,  probably  in 
Charlestown.  It  is  doubtful  if  President  D.  took  his 
family  to  Scituate,  although  the  history  of  that  town 
implies  that  he  did.  She  married,  about  1686,  Major 
Jonathan  Wade  (his  first  wife  died  Nov.  1,  1683),  of 
Medford.  Major  Wade  died  Nov.  24,  1689,  leaving  nine 
children,  of  whom  four  are  mentioned  (in  the  will  of 
Dudley  Wade,  his  only  son,  who  never  married)  as  "the 
four  sisters  of  whole  blood,"  Major  Wade's  children  by, 
Elizabeth'^  Dunster  were  (viii""*  child)  of  Major  Wade: 

i.     Elizabeth^  Wade,  born  1687.      She  died  Aug. 
19,  1721.     Unmarried, 
ii.     Dorothy^  Wade,  b.  Feb.  17,  1689,  died  young. 

Elizabeth^  Wade  {Eliznhetli,'^  Henry, ^)  made  a  will, 
dated  "Marshfield  June  14  Annoq.  Dom.  1715,"  proved 
Sept.  8,  1721.  "  I  Elizabeth  Wade  daughter  of  Jona- 
than Wade  late  of  Medford  in  the  county  of  Middlesex, 

Esq. ,  deceased give  and  bequeiath  all  my  estate 

unto  my  dear  and  honor. d  mother  Elizabeth  Thomas  of 
Marshfield  the  Avife  of  Nathaniel  Thomas  of  Marshfield 

in   the   county  of   Plymouth,    Esq." In   a 

codicil,  dated* Aug.  4,  1721,  she  "further  directs  that 
if  my  honoured  mother — doth  not  stand  in  need  to 
sell  my  housing  and  lands  nor  will  them  away  in  her 
life-time,  then  I  give  them  as  follows  to  the  three  sons  of 
Jonathan  Dunster  that  were  born  of  my  sister — [half 
sister]  Deborah  Dunster:     I  give  to  Jonathan  Dunster 

*  N.  E.  Hist,  and  Gen.  Register,  Vol.  XXVII. ,  p.  309. 


ELIZABETH    DUXSTEIl   THOMAS'    WILL.  29 

s 

and  Thomas  Duiister  one  half  of  my  lioasing  and  hinds 
to  them  and  their  heirs  forever  that  are  hiwfully  begotten 
of  tlieir  body,  and  the  other  half  of  my  housing  &  lands 
I  give  to  David  Dunster  and  the  heirs  of  his  body  law- 
fully begotten  forever."  ''And  in  case  any  of  these 
sons  should  have  any  of  these  lands  after  my  mother's 
decease  to  pay  the  income  to  my  honoured  uncle  Jona- 
than Dunt;ter  during  his  life."  Her  mother  was  ap- 
pointed sole  executrix,  and  in  her  bond  is  stvled  '•'  Madam 
Elizabeth  Thomas  widow  of  the  late  Hon'^''^  Col.  Nath'. 
Thomas  Esq." 

Major  Wade  died  in  1689,  and  his  widow,  Elizabeth 
Wade,  was  administrator,  with  others,  and  the  estate 
was  divided  March  23,  1697-8,  to  widow,  Elizabeth, 
children,  Dudley,  Deborah  Dunster,  Prudence  Swan, 
Katherine  Wyer,  Susanna  Wade,  and  Elizabeth^  (Dun- 
ster) Wade.  In  a  subsequent  division,  June  11,  1741, 
a  share  Avas  given  to  the  heirs  or  assigns  of  the 
daughter  Elizabeth  [the  children  of  Jonathan  Dunster]. 
After  the  death  of  her  husband  (Major  Wade),  she  re- 
mained a  widow  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century.  At 
length  she  became  the  wife  (probably  the  third  Avife)  of 
Col.  Nathaniel  Thomas,  of  Marshfield,  about  1714  (his 
second  wife  died  in  1713).  Col.  Thomas  died  Oct.  22, 
1718,  aged  74  years,  and  she  returned  to  Medford,  where, 
after  a  second  widoAvhood  of  about  eleven  years,  she  died 
betAveen  May  31  and  Xov.  8,  1729,  and  was  probably 
buried  at  Medford.  She  made  a  will,  which,  as  it  exem- 
plifies her  character  and  disposition  better  than  anything 
Ave  can  say,  Ave  give  entire.  It  was  copied  for  us  from  the 
Middlesex  Records  by  Lorenzo  Marrett,  Esq.,  although 
the  substance  of  it  had  been  communicated  before  by 
llev.  L.  E.  Paige.  All  we  knew  of  her,  and  all  that  had 
been  published  prior  to  1872,  Avas  pi'inted  in  Life  H.  D., 
p.  237,  in  these  Avords:  "  Elizabeth  is  mentioned  in  her 
father's  will. "     At  that  time  she  was  only  two  years  old. 

ELIZABETH^  (DUNSTER)  THOMAS'  WILL. 

I,  Elizabeth  Thomas  of  Medford  in  the  county  of 
Middlesex,  widow,  do  make  this  my  last  will  and  testa- 
ment.    I  commit  my  soul  to  God  and  my  Body  decent 


30  HEXRY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDAKTS. 

5 

Burial.  Imprs.  My  will  is  as  follows:  I  give  to  my 
Nephew  ]\Ir.  Henry  Dimster  after  my  just  debts  and 
funeral  charges  are  paid,  1  give  him  all  my  stock  of  Cat- 
tle and  horses  only  two  cows  and  a  horse  I  reserve  Also 
I  give  him  all  my  utensils  for  husbandry  Carts  Plows 
with  all  other  of  the  like  tools  Also  I  give  him  one  years 
service  of  my  Negro  Boy  named  Daniel  he  using  him 
well  and  giving  him  two  suits  of  Cloaths  at  the  years  end. 

Item.  I  give  to  his  son  Henry  Dunster  my  Silver 
Porringer*  marked  h°e  and  I  give  him  one  third  of  my 
Books.** 

Item.  I  give  to  Jonathan  Dunster  and  David  Dun- 
ster and  Elisabeth  Cartrell  and  Dorothy  Dunster  all  my 
Housing  and  Land  and  meadows,  marshes  and  pastures 
woodlands  and  garden  lands  and  all  the  lands  from  the 
Brick  House***  to  the  Kiver  that  was  their  aunt  Elizabeth 
Wades  I  now  give  them  with  all  the  rights  in  the 
thirds  that  would  have  fallen  to  Elizabeth  Wade  had  she 
lived,  with  all  manner  of  Housing  and  land  that  belongs 
to  me   I  give  to  these  four  children  that  were  born  of 

*  This  Porringer,  wliich  is  now  in  my  possession,  being  badly 
worn  in  several  places  was  repaired  in  1854.  The  monogram  was 
not  altered.  Tliere  can  be  no  doubt  that  it  was  the  property  of 
President  Dunster,  who  was  the  fatlier  of  Mrs.  Thomas.  In  the 
inventory  of  his  e'state  (Court  Records,  Charlestown,  June  21, 
1659)  there  is  this  entry:  "  In  plate  of  divers  sorts,  a  whistle  and 
corrall  £38,  18s."  The  monogram  will  apply  to  no  other  family. 
It  has  been  in  the  family,  as  tradition  has  it,  all  the  way  down. 

**  Among  the  books  from  Rev.  Isaiah  Dunster's  library  now 
in  our  possession,  is  one  entitled,  "English  Liberties,  or,  The 
Free-Born  Subject's  Inheritance,  containing:  I.  Magna.  Charta. 
II.  The  Proceedings  in  Appeals  of  Murther.  III.  Laws  Against 
Conventicles,  Protestant  Dissenters,  &c.  London.  Printed  by 
G.  Larkin  for  John  How,  at  the  Seven  Stars,  at  the  south-west 
corner  of  the  Royal  Exchange,  in  Cornhil."  (No  date.)  It  has 
"Jonathan  Wade  1681"  and  "Jonathan  Wade  of  Meadford" 
written  on  the  blank  leaf,  and  in  the  same  hand  and  ink,  ' '  have 
allway  God  before  you."  In  a  later  hand  and  different  ink  is 
"husband's."     Was  this  written  by  Elizabeth^  (Dunster)  Wade? 

***The  third  [brick]  house  was  built  by  Major  Jonathan  Wade, 
who  died  in  1689.  It  was  sometimes  called,  like  the  other  two,  a 
"fort,"  and  is  yet  standing  in  good  repair,  and  used  as  a  com- 
fortable residence.     It  is  seen  from  the  main  street  as  we  look  up 


ELIZABETH    DUNSTER   THO.MAS'    WILL.  31 

5 

Deborah  Dunster  and  to  the  heirs  of  their  l^odvo  law- 
fully begotten,  forever,  and  if  any  of  them  die  without 
heirs  of  tlieir  body  then  to  the  next  Heir  and  so  forever 
and  I  further  add  they  shall  let  no  lease  for  more  than 
three  years. 

Item.  I  give  to  my  two  nieces  Elizabeth  Cartrell  and 
Dorothy  Dunster  all  my  household  goods — P'late  Pewter 
&'  Brass  fine  Linnen  and  Bedding  with  all  other  things 
(only  what  I  reserve  for  Peggy)  e((ually  divided.  I  give  to 
my  niece  Dorothy  my  gold  necklace  and  gold  buttons 
and  my  case  of  silver  Instruments.  I  give  to  Elizabeth 
Cartreil  my  great  Bible  and  all  my  other  two  thirds  of 
Books  equal  among  the  four  Kinsfolk. 

Item,  I  give  to  my  Negro  man  named  Toney  his 
freedom,  being  a  faithful  servant  for  fort}'  years,  t  also 
give  him  ten  pounds  in  money  and  a  cow  and  the  liberty 
of  one  acre  of  my  marsh  for  to  mow  for  three  years  after 
my  decease  and  also  to  pasture  his  cow  three  years  and 
the  liberty  to  live  in  that  Chamber  that  is  mine  for  three 
years  and  also  to  have  half  the  Provision  in  the  House 
at  my  Decease  and  also  to  improve  one  acre  of  land  in 
my  field  for  three  years.  I  also  give  him  the  liberty  of 
the  Chamber  for  his  life  if  he  need  it. 

Item.  I  give  to  the  Rev.  Mr,  James  Gardener  of 
Marsh  field  five  pounds  in  money  to  be  paid  him  by  my 
executors  in  three  months  after  my  decease,  I  give  to 
Jonathan*  Dunster  my  great  Copper  that  holds  a  bar- 
rel and  a  half,  I  give  to  him  and  to  his  Children  if 
he  have  any  and  if  not  then  to  return  to  his  sisters  Car- 
trell and  Dorothy  Dunster, 

Item.  I  give  to  Jack  and  Peggy  one  half  of  all  the 
Provisions  in  the  House  at  my  decease  and  they  have  the 
liberty  to  pasture  a  cow  and  to  get  one  load  of  Hay  for 
their  cow  for  three  years  after  my  decease. 

the  Governor's  lane.  Its  walls  are  very  thick,  and  it  is  orna- 
mented with  what  has  been  called  "port-holes."  When  first  l)uilt 
it  was  only  half  its  present  size;  the  addition  was  made  by  Ben- 
jamin Hall,  Esq.,  about  seventy-five  years  ago.  {Ilist.  Medford, 
p.  48.) 

*  Jonathan  did  not  marry,  and  the   "copper"  kettle  went  to 
Henry  ^  Dunster,  who  willed  it  to  his  son  Henrj-  *. 
4* 


32  HENRY    DUNSTER   AND   HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

5 

Item  my  will  is  that  my  heirs  shall  see  that  Toney 
be  relieved  at  all  times  as  his  need  requires.  My  will  is 
to  my  boy  named  Daniel,  he  shall  be  sold  to  Defray 
charges  while  ho  is  twenty  one  years  of  age  and  then  I 
free  him  and  give  him  a  cow  or  a  horse  which  suits  best 
my  executors. 

Item  my  meaning  is  as  to  the  Land  I  give  to  Jona- 
than Dunster  &  David  Dunster  and  Elizabeth  Cartrell 
and  Dorothy  Dunster  they  shall  be  equally  divided 
amongst  them  for  Quantity  and  Quality  and  to  not  any 
ways  Disagree. 

Item.  I  give  to  my  two  neices  all  my  Silk  Cloathes 
the  other  I  give  to  Margery  my  molatto  woman. 

Item.  My  will  is  that  my  negro  man  named  Jack 
shall  live  with  his  wife  and  Children  he  paying  to  my 
nephew  Mr.  Henry  Dunster  fifteen  pounds  in  one  year 
after  my  decease.  I  give  to  my  mollato  woman  Marga- 
ret all  her  Children  free  from  any  claim  of  any  body  of 
my  heirs.  I  also  give  her  a  small  House  Plott  of  Land 
namely  30  feet  one  way  and  forty  feet  long  lying  next  to 
Nathaniel  Halls  House  I  give  to  her  and  her  children, 
and  I  give  her  a  cow  and  a  feather  Bed  and  a  Brass  Ket- 
tle with  some  other  small  things.  I  also  give  Jack  the 
liberty  to  improve  one  acre  of  Land  for  three  years  in 
my  field  and  also  the  liberty  he  and  his  wife  to  live  in 
the  chamber  that  is  mine  for  three  years.  Also  the  Im- 
provement of  one  half  of  the  Garden  and  Toney  the  other 
half  for  three  years  and  then  to  return  to  my  heirs. 

Item.  I  give  to  Nathaniel  Thomas  Esq.  a  Gold  King 
and  to  the  Kev.  Mr.  James  Gardener  of  Marshfield  a 
Eing.  I  give  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  James  Colman  a  spoon 
washed  with  gold  marked  T.  C.  I  give  to  Mr.  Richard 
Brooks  a  gold  Ring.  I  give  Madam  Usher  my  Colasli 
for  one  year  and  then  to  return  to  my  two  neices.  And 
I  constitute  my  five  Cousins  Henry  Dunster  Jonathan 
Dunster  and  David  Dunster  and  Elizabeth  Cartrell  and 
Dorothy  Dunster  to  be  executors  of  this  my  last  will  and 
Testament  and  order  that  none  of  my  estate  shall  be 
prized.  Further  and  my  Bearers  shall  have  gold  Rings. 
And  if  the  money  That  I  leave  at  my  decease  will  not 


ELIZABETH    DUNSTEH   TIIOMAS'    WILL.  33 

5 

Defray  all  Charges  then  every  One  to  bear  an  equal 
share  in  the  charge. 

Lydia  Wade  Elizabeth  Thomas    [seal] 

SoiON"  Tufts 

Ammi  Kuhamah  Cutter. 

My  mind  is  That  Toney  shall  have  a  Black  Coat  and 
Toney  shall  have  the  Frying  Pan  two  old  Pewter  Dishes, 
the  biggest  Brass  Skillet,  the  old  Chairs  in  the  Kitchen, 
the  old  saddle  and  Bridle  the  little  Pot  and  a  pail  and 
his  chest  and  further  my  mind  is  that  he  and  Peggy 
shall  have  half  the  Indian  Corn  and  half  the  Barly  and 
he — that  is  Toney — a  Hogg  and  Pigg  My  mind  is  Peggy 
shall  have  the  great  Pott  and  the  little  Brass  Skillet  and 
the  old  Brass  Kettle  that  was  my  dear  Child's,  one  Pew- 
ter Dish  six  Plates  marked  E.  W.  [Elizabeth  Wade,  her 
daughter.] 

A  paper  of  Directions  for  my  heirs  to  do  as  to  my 
funeral — Six  Bearers — Coll.  Byfield  of  Boston,  Judge 
Davenport  Jonathan  Dows  of  Charlestown,  President  of 
the  College,  Simon  Bradstreet  Benjamin  Colman — all 
to  have  a  ring  if  alive  at  my  decease. 

These  "freedmen"  came  into  her  possession  by  mar- 
riage. There  is  abundant  evidence  that  President  Dun- 
ster  never  owned  a  slave.  His  whole  life  would  refute 
such  an  inference.  Her  wishes  appear  to  have  been 
fully  carried  out.  Although  they  seem  to  have  contin- 
ued to  live  in  the  families  to  whom  she  was  related,  they 
were  brought  up  in  moral  and  religious  instruction,  and 
treated  as  *'  a  brother  beloved."  We  hope  none  of  them 
were  the  ones  whom  the  government  of  CharlestoAvn  or- 
dered her  nephew  '-'that  he  Entertain  them  no  Longer 
at  the  Peril  of  the  Law."  "Toney,"  whose  welfare 
seems  to  have  been  the  burden  of  her  mind,  lived  and 
died  in  the  Dunster  family,  and  reposes  in  the  same 
cemetery  with  them,  and  the  record  is:  "Toney  Dun- 
ster died  March  -i  IT-io  aged  90  years."  "  Peggy''  seems 
to  have  lived  with  "Aunt  Carteret"  (Elizabeth^  Dunster 
Carteret).  In  Mr.  Cooke's  Records,  2d  Church,  Cam- 
bridge, are  these  entries:  "Carteret,  Pegg,  woman  ser- 
vant" of  Capt.  C.  died  Dec.  10  1757."    Also,  "Negro 


34  HENEY    DUXSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

5 

Child  at  Mr.  Diinster's  died  April  %  1750."  "Negro 
boy  of  Capt.  Carteret  died  April  12  1747  aged  6;"  and 
'''Xegro  Child  (girl)  of  Capt.  Carteret  died  August  15 
1753.^''  ''Negro  child  of  Mr.  Dunster  died  March  24 
1747  aged  7  days."  (Honest  Mr.  Cooke,  he  wrote  in 
common  language,  which  enthusiasts  of  this  day  have 
intentionally  perverted  to  mean  something  worse.) 

In  Bond's  History  of  Watertowu,  p.  754,  it  is  stated 
Mahitible  Dunster  was  warned  out  of  town,  May  15, 
1695.  Much  pains  have  been  taken  to  get  a  full  copy  of 
the  record,  but  without  success.  We  think  she  was  a 
liberated  slave,  living  at  Jonathan  Dunster's. 

In  looking  over  this  faithful  record,  so  often  referred 
to,  our  eye  caught,  almost  the  next  entry  to  our  own 
grandfathers  marriage:  "Punch  servant  of  Mr.  Samuel 
Brooks  of  Medford  and  Eose  servant  of  William  Cutler, 
Cambridge  married  June  3,  *1754."  Tracing  the  bap- 
tisms, we  found:  "Prince  son  of  Eose  Cutler  slave  b. 
June  10,  bap.  June  12  1762;"  and  further  on,  "Experi- 
ence a  Mulatto  brought  by  Geo  Cutter  bap.  Nov.  23 
1783  by  Eev.  Mr.  Marrett." 

One  of  these  unfortu.nates  has  made  his  mark  in  his- 
tory. He  was  probably  the  son  of  Jack  and  Peggy.  S. 
A.  Drake,  {Historic  Fields  and  2Iansions  of  Middlesex, 
p.  358,)  after  graphically  describing  the  march  of  Gage's 
troops  from  Boston  towards  Lexington,  says:  "It  is 
a  tradition  in  Arlington  that  the  first  person  to  give  the 
alarm  here  was  Cuff  Cartwright,  a  negro  slave  who  lived 
at  his  master's  on  the  road  not  far  from  the  pond.  An 
officer  gave  the  black  a  dollar  to  silence  him,  but  as  soon 
as  the  detachment  had  passed,  Cuffee  struck  across  the 
fields,  and  roused  the  neighborhood."  William  E.  Cut- 
ter writes:  "Cuffee  Cartwright,  colored,  (a  corruption 
of  'Carteret')  died  in  West  Cambridge,  Jan.  25,  1826, 
aged  77."  "A  noted  character,  and  a  servant  of  Eevo- 
lutiouary  officers.  He  distinguished  himself  in  an  ex- 
ploit at  the  time  of  the  march  to  Lexington.  Old  Cuff 
was  a  great  story-teller,  and  many  in  Arlington  now 
remember  him.  A  fuller  relation  of  him  can  be  had 
among  my  acquaintances.  He  was  the  last  representa- 
tive, I  believe,  of  the  Carteret  family  in  Arlington. " 


HENRY*    DUNSTER.  35 

6 

How  different  was  the  thoughtful  and  Christ-like 
action  of  this  good  woman  from  the  tumultuous  scenes 
we  have  just  passed  througli.  It  seems  to  us  that  in 
God's  plan  of  "  development,"  irresponsible  national 
"glorious  victories"  are  only  accountable  individual 
"struggles  for  existence."  In  this  struggle,  some  have 
survived  to  exhibit  traits  learned  there,  at  which  they 
would  have  shuddered  before.  Others,  boasting  of  their 
reckless  daring,  strive  to  keep  the  enmity  alive.  Many, 
ponder  on  the  cost,  misery  and  unfathomable  mystery 
of  "God's  strange  work,"  as  war  is  sometimes  called; 
and  a  fearful  number  have  fallen,  among  whom  we  can 
count  nineteen  killed  or  wounded  of  our  own  blood  or 
marital  relations.  We  never  intended  to  say  a  word  on 
this  painful  subject — "It  slipped  out  itself." 

6,  Henry*  Dunster  {Jonathan,'^  Henry,^)  was  born 
in  Cambridge,  July  17,  1680.  He  "owned  the  covenant 
and  was  baptized  Feb.  1,  1707-8."  From  this,  it  ap- 
pears that  Jonathan  Dunster,  his  father,  like  President 
D.,  neglected  to  bring  his  children  to  the  ordinance  of 
baptism.  He  married  Feb.  25,  1707-8,  Martha  Russell, 
who  had  owned  the  covenant  and  was  baptized  Feb.  13, 
about  two  weeks  before  their  marriage.  They  were  both 
admitted  to  full  communion  in  the  First  Church,  Cam- 
bridge, March  11th  or  16th,  1710-11.  They  were  both 
constituent  members  of  the  Second  Church  in  Cam- 
bridge, now  the  First  Congregational  Church  in  Arling- 
ton. To  the  first  pastor  of  this  church,  Kev.  Samuel 
Cooke,  he  gave  wood  gratis  for  seven  years.  He  resided 
on  what  was  then  known  as  Menotomy  Field,  or  more 
recently  as  Charlestown  Neck,  now  Arlington.  "No 
vestige  of  the  Dunster  residence  alluded  to  remains  save 
the  site,  which  for  thirty  years  and  over  has  been  vacant 
as  far  as  any  dwelling  or  household  structure  is  con- 
cerned. It  is  at  this  day  one  of  the  most  sightly,  eligible 
situations  for  a  mansion  in  the  section.  Its  present 
pecuniary  value  could  not  readily  be  estimated.  A  large 
and  thriving  village  of  new  houses,  with  uncommon  rail- 
road facilities,  is  rising  around  it."  (W.  R.  C.)  The 
division  of  the  paternal  estate,  and  the  dissatisfaction  of 


1158949 


36  HENEY    DUNSTER  AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

6 

Henry  at  the  valuation  of  16s.  per  acre  for  this  land,  has 
been  alluded  to  in  the  settlement  of  Jonathan  Dunster's 
estate.  Perhaps  this  discontent  was,  in  some  measure, 
owing  to  the  fact  that  no  part  of  the  large  landed  estate 
of  Elizabeth  Thomas,  his  aunt,  was  given  to  him,  but 
all  of  it  to  his  half  brothers  and  sisters.  On  the  fifth 
day  of  October,  "Annocf  Domini  "  1741,  "  Jason  Rus- 
sell," (and  his  wife,  Elizabeth  Russell,)  "of  Cambridge 
in  the  county  of  Midd""  in  his  Majesties  Province  of  the 
Massachusetts  Bay,  in  New  England,  yeoman — For  and 
in  consideration  of  the  sum  of  Two  Hundred  Pounds  in 
Bills  of  Credet  in  the  old  Tenor"  gave  a  deed  (now  in 
the  writer's  possession)  to  "  Henry  Dunster  of  Cam- 
bridge aforesd  yeoman  "  "  of  one  certain  Piece  or  Parcel 
of  land  situate  in  Cambridge  aforesaid  Containing  twelve 
acres  be  it  more  or  less  Bounded  northeasterly  on  Charles- 
town  Road  Easterly  on  y*"  said  Dunster's  Land  partly, 
and  partly  on  Land  Belonging  to  *"■■  James  Smith  south- 
westerly on  Concord  Road  and  northwesterly  on  Land  of 
Jason  Winshipp's,  reserving  the  buildings  Standing  on 
the  Premises  to  my  own  use  and  the  Liberty  of  taking' 
of  the  Same  at  any  time  when  I  shall  See  Cause." 

In  the  writer's  possession,  handed  down  in  the  family^ 
on  a  paper  measuring  ten  by  seven  inches,  and  contain- 
ing sixty  lines  in  the  plain  handwriting  of  Rev.  Samuel 
Cooke,  is  the  following  will: 

"  In  the  name  of  God.  Amen!  I  Henry  Dunster  of 
Cambridge  in  y^  county  of  Middlesex  and  Province  of 
y*  Massachusetts  Bay  in  New  England,  Husbandman: 
Being  Weak  in  Body,  but  of  perfect  mind  &  memory 
blessed  be  God  therefor,  and  not  knowing  how  soon  it 
May  please. God  to  call  me  away  by  Death:  Do  make  & 
Ordain  This  My  Last  Will  &  Testament:  That  is  to  say 
principally  &  in  y^  first  place  I  Give  and  Recommend  my 
Soul  into  y"  hands  of  God  who  gave  it  and  my  Body  I 
recommend  to  y''  Earth  to  be  Buried  in  a  decent  Christ- 
ian Manner  at  y*"  discretion  of  my  Executors.  Hoping 
in  the  mercy  of  God  thro  y^  merits  of  Christ  to  receive 
y"  same  made  like  unto  Christ's  Glorious  Body  at  the 
General  Resurection.     And  as  touching  my  Worldly  Es- 


HENKY*    DUNSTER's   WILL.  37 

6 

tate  wherewith  it  lias  pleased  God  to  Bless  me  in  this 
Life,  I  Give  Demise  and  Dispose  of  the  same  in  man- 
ner &  form  as  follows  (viz) 

Lnjirimis.  I  give  &  Bequeath  to  Martha  My  Beloved 
Wife  the  use  &  Improvement  of  y*"  one  half  of  all  my 
real  Estate  during  her  Natural  Life  and  also  y"  improve- 
ment of  y"  one  half  of  my  Dwelling  House  lSj  Barn  Like- 
wise y''  improvement  of  y'-'  one  half  of  my  stock  of  Cattle, 
Horses,  Sheep  &(;  also  the  use  of  y°  one  half  of  my  Carts 
Ploughs  &  certain  Tackling  or  any  other  tools  or  Im- 
plements belonging  to  Husbandry.  I  likewise  Give  to 
my  s"^  Wife  y"  use  &  improvement  of  the  whole  of  my 
Household  Stuff  as  Beding,  Pewter,  Brass,  Iron,  Chairs, 
Linning  &c  during  her  Natural  Life,  as  also  y''  use  of  my 
clock  and  y"  whole  service  &  imjirovement  of  my  Negro 
Woman  Nancy  During  my  sd  wife's  Life. 

Item.  I  give  and  Bequeath  to  My  Beloved  Son  Jason 
Dunster  to  him  and  his  heirs  forever  all  my  Lands 
Messuages  &j  tenements  together  with  all  my  Just  Debts, 
Stock  and  movable  effects  of  every  kind  not  heretofore 
disposed  of  or  not  hereafter  mentioned  in  this  my  last 
Will  &  Testament.  He  allowing  his  mother,  my  sd  wife 
y"  Improvement  as  above  mentioned  and  paying  y*"  fol- 
lowing Legacies  herein  Mentioned  and  also  all  my  Just 
Debts  »&  funeral  expenses. 

Item.  I  give  to  my  beloved  son  Isaiah  Dunster  (be- 
sides what  I  have  done  for  Him  in  Giving  Him  a  Liberal 
Education)  the  Sum  of  Two  Hundred  Pounds  in  Bills 
of  y'^  old  Tenor  so  called  or  what  shall  be  in  value  equal 
at  y"  time  of  Payment  to  what  sd  old  Tenor  Bills  now 
pass  for,  to  be  paid  within  the  space  of  three  years  after 
y"  decease  of  my  sd  wife  Martha  Also  my  Silver  Tankard 
marked  h°m  to  be  delivered  to  him  Upon  My  sd  Wife's 
decease. 

Item.  I  give  to  my  Beloved  Son  Henry  Dunster  be- 
sides Wliat  I  have  already  Given  to  Him  my  Large  Cop- 
per Kettle  to  be  delivered  to  Him  upon  y^  decease  of 
my  sd  wife. 

Item.  I  give  to  my  Beloved  Daughter  Martha  Dick- 
son besides  what  I  have  already  given  to  her  the  sum  of 
one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  in  bills  of  the  old  Tenor — 
or  what  shall  be  equal     *     *     * 


38  HEXRY    DUNSTER   AND   HIS    DESCENDANTS, 

6 

Item.  I  give  to  my  Beloved  Daughter  Mary  Marrat 
besides  what  I  have  already  given  her  y^  like  sum  of  one 
hundred  and  fifty  pounds  in  Bills  of  y^  old  Tenor.   *   * 

Item.  I  give  to  my  Beloved  Daughter  Abigail  Cutler 
besides  what  she  has  already  received  the  sum  of  One 
Hundred  &  fifty  pounds  in  Bills  of  the  Old  Tenor  or 
what  *  *  *  ye  {j^ijove  sums  or  Legacies  to  be  paid  to 
the  persons  above  named  or  their  heirs  within  three  years 
after  y"  decease  of  my  sd  wife  Martha. 

Also  I  give  &  Bequeath  to  my  D.  Daughter  Abigail  & 
Her  Heirs  forever  a  certain  tract  of  Land  containing  one 
acre  more  or  less  Lying  in  Cambridge  second  precinct 
bounded  Northerly  on  Concord  Eoad  Easterly  on  the 
Winshipp's  Pasture,  on  y''  other  sides  on  my  Land  as  y" 
wall  now  stands  She  maintaining  the  whole  of  y*  fence 
adjoining  my  Land.  Furthermore  I  Give  &  Bequeath 
to  my  above  named  Beloved  Son  Jason  Dunster  my 
above  sd  negro  woman  Nancy  to  him  &  his  heirs  after 
my  sd  wife's  decease  and  also  y^  whole  of  that  part  of  the 
Stock,  Team  Tackling  &c  which  I  have  Given  my  Wife 
for  improvement  during  her  life  and  Likewise  what  shall 
remain  of  y"  House  hold  Stuff  not  already  disposed  of 
by  me  and  which  my  sd  wife  shall  not  dispose  of  in  her 
lifetime  He  paying  y"  Legacies  &  debts  as  above.  I  do 
likewise  Hereby  constitute  &  appoint  my  Beloved  Wife 
Martha  &  my  Beloved  Son  Jason  Dunster  to  be  execu- 
tors of  this  my  last  Will  and  Testament  Hereby  revoking 
all  former  Wills     *     *     * 

I  do  hereunto  set  my  hand  &  seal  this  eighth  day  of 
October  Annoq'  Dom.  one  thousand  seven  Hundred  and 
forty  eight — and  in  the  twenty  Second  year  of  y^  reign 
of  George  y''  Second  of  Great  Britain  y''  King  &c. 

Signed  Sealed  Published,  pronounced  &  Declared  by 
y*"  sd  Henry  Dunster  to  be  His  Last  Will  and  Testament 
in  presence  of  us  Heney  Dunster."  [seal] 

the  subscribers 

Hubert  Russell 
His 

Walter  X  Russell 

mark 
Saml  Cooke. 


HEXRY^   DUXSTER.  39 

6 

Henry ^  Duxster  died  iit  Cambridge  (now  Arling- 
ton), Jan.  28,  1753,  as  appears  from  the  record  in  liis 
son  Jason's  J^ible  (now  in  my  possession),  written  by 
Rev.  Samnel  Cooke,  his  pastor,  as  follows: 

"Mr.  Henry  Dunster 

Dyed  Jan^  28,  1753  ^Et.  73 

be  ye  also  ready  for 

at  such  an  hour  as  ye 

.    .  think  not  of  the  Son 

of  Man  Cometh." 

The  following  copy  of  inscription  is  taken  from  the 
original  stone  (slate)  now  standing  in  a  group  of  graves 
around  a  venerable  apple  tree,  near  the  horizontal  slab  of 
the  Rev.  Samuel  Cooke,  in  the  centre  of  Cambridge 
second  precinct  burying  yard,  now  the  old  cemetery  in 
Arlington: 

•'Here  Lyes  Buried  the  Body  of  Mr.  Henry  Dunster 
who  Departed  this  Life  Jan""  28  Anno  Doni'  1753,  in  the 
73''''  year  of  His  Age.  '  Therefore  be  ye  also  ready  for  in 
such  an  Hour  as  you  think  not  ye  Son  of  Man  Cometh.'  " 

In  the  same  group  of  graves  are  buried  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
Dunster  DeCarteret  and  her  husband,  with  several  of 
their  children.  The  stones  are  such  as  would  be  erected 
over  persons  of  family  and  substance  at  the  time  of  their 
erection. 

His  wife,  Martha  (Russell),  survived  him,  and  married 
Francis  Locke  (his  2d  wife),  March  15,  1759.  "She 
Avas  the  daughter  of  Joseph  Russell,  who  married  Mary 
Belcher,  June  23,  1662,  and  was  born  July  26,  1691,  at 
Cambridge.  Francis  Locke,  his  tirst  wife  Elizabeth, 
and  his  daughter  Elizabeth,  were  original  members  of 
the  church  in  West  Cambridge  [Arlington],  which  was 
founded  1739."     {Book  of  the  Loches,  p.  24. ) 

In  the  "  Cutter  Family  of  Xeic  EngJand''  it  is  stated, 
p.  380,  that  "the  mother  of  Jason  Dunster  [son  of 
Henry]  was  Martha  Russell,  daughter  of  Jason  and  Marv 
(Hubbard)  Russel,  of  Cambridge,  and  born  May  2, 
1691."  The  Cutter  record  is  correct.  She,  Martha 
5 


40  HENKT    DUKSTEK  AXD    HIS    DESCEXDAKTS. 

6 

(KussgI  Dunster)  Locke,  died  of  the  palsy,  in  Menotomy, 
June  -27,  1?T1,  jiged  81  years.  {Dr.  B.  Cutter's  MSS.) 
Ill  the  Middlesex  probate  office  is  a  bond  of  Martha 
Dunster,  widow,  Jason  Dunster,  Edward  Dixon,  and 
Joseph  Belknap,  to  perform  the  duties  of  executors  to 
the  estate  of  Henry  Dunster,  late  of  Cambridge. 

Heney''  Dunster  had  eleven  children  by  his  wife, 
Martha  (Russell): 

9%.  i.  Martha*  Dunster,  b.  Feb.  7,  bap.  Feb. 
13,  1708-9,  m.  Edward  Dickson,  March  18,  1730-31. 

10%.  ii.  Mary*  Dunster,  b.  July  ye  8,  bap.  July 
13,  1712,  m.  Amos  Marrett. 

11%.  iii.  Abigail*  Dunster,  b.  March  18,  1714, 
bap.  March  21,  1713-14,  m.  James  Cutter,  Jr. 

iv.  Elizabeth*  Dunster,  b.  July  ye  7,  1716,  died 
Nov.  7,  1710.  She  was  one  of  the  grand-children  [It 
should  have  been  great  grand-children]  referred  to  in 
Chaplin's  Life  of  Henry  Dunster,  page  227.  She  was 
buried  in  Old  Cambridge,  near  President  D.  The  in- 
scription on  her  head-stone  is  still  plain  and  distinct, 
and  reads: 

"Elizabeth  Dunster, 

Daughter  of  Henry 

&  Martha  Dunster 

aged  4  months. 

Died  novemV^  7  1716." 

12%.  V.  Isaiah*  Dunster,  born  Oct.  21,  1720, 
m.  first,  Hannah  Dennis,  May  26,  1750.  second,  Mary 
Smith,  Nov.  13,  1766. 

vi.  Henry*  Dunster,  born  Feb.  13.  bap.  Feb.  17, 
1722-3.  He  married  April  27,  1748,  Abio-ail  Moor. 
He  is  mentioned  in  his  father's  will  of  Oct.  21  (?),  1748, 
as  lately  deceased.  By  this,  it  appears  that  his  father 
made  another  will  a  few  days  after  the  one  copied  on  a 
preceding  page.  He  died  Oct.  13,  1748,  childless.  His 
wife,  Abigaif  (Moor),  had  a  daughter,  March  4,  1749, 
who  lived  one-quarter  of  an  hour.  {Iicv.  S.  Coohe's 
Record. )  He  was  buried  at  Arlington.  The  inscription 
on  his  grave  stone  is: 


HENRY*   DUNSTER.  41 

6 

"  Here  lyes  Buried  y^  Body  of  Mr.  Henry  Dunster 
Jnn''  who  Departed  this  Life  October  13,  Anno  Dom' 
1748  ag-ed  -.'5  years  &  8  m"\" 

His  widow,  then  Abigail  Harrington,  was  dismissed 
from  the  2d  Church  Sept.  15,  1751,  to  the  church  in 
Lexington.  She  Avas  married  to  Jonathan  Harrington, 
Aug.  1,  1750,  by  whom  she  had  eight  children,  the 
fourth  of  whom  was  Jonathan,  wlio  was  the  last  sur- 
vivor of  the  battle  of  Lexington,  and  to  whom  she  said, 
on  that  eventful  morning:  "Jonathan,  get  up,  the 
Eeo'ulars  are  coming,  and  something  must  be  done." 
She  died  June  30,  177G.  {Hist.  Lexington,  Gen.  Req., 
P2).  91,  94.) 

In  the  probate  records  at  East  Cambridge,  the  will  of 
Henry*'  Dunster,  Jr.,  is  recorded,  as  is  also  an  inventor}'' 
of  his  estate,  in  which  is  mentioned  a  beaver  hat  valued 
£8  Os.  Od.;  a  ''new  wigg"  valued  £4  Os.  Od.;  an  "old 
wigg"  valued  at  £0  10s.  Od. ;  a  fine  linen  Shirt  valued 
£3  Os.  Od.;  a  new  full  trimmed  blue  Coat  valued  at  £1G 
Os.  Od. ;  a  pair  of  leathern  Breeches  valued  at  £9  Os.  Od. ; 
a  "fustin"  Coat  valued  at  £G  Os.  Od,;  a  blue  Jacket  val- 
ued at  £4  Os.  Od. ;  a  "streight"  bodied  Coat  valued  at 
£4  Os.  Od. ;  a  stuff  Jacket  valued  at  £3  10s.  Od. 

At  the  time  of  his  death  he  owned  about  fifty  acres  of 
laud  in  what  is  now  Arlington,  which  appears  to  have 
been  sold  by  his  widow  to  his  brothers  and  sisters.  The 
deed,  a  copy  of  which,  written  by  Mr.  Cooke,  was  found 
among  Rev.  Isaiah  Dunster's  papers,  is  sketched  as  fol- 
lows : 

"  To  All  People  to  whom  these  Presents  Shall  Come 
Greeting  Know  Ye  That  I  Abigail  Dunster  of  Cam- 
bridge in  ye  County  of  Middlesex  in  ye  Province  of  ye 
Massachusetts  Bay  in  Xew  Enghind  Relict  Widow  of 
Mr.  Henry  Dunster  Jnn''  of  Cambridge  aforesaid  De- 
ceased For  Divers  Good  Causes,  &  Considerations 

Me  thereunto  Moving  But  More  Especially  For  &  in 
Consideration  of  ye  Sum  of  Twelve  Hundred  &  thirty 
pounds  in  Good  &  Passable  Bills  of  Credit  of  ye  Old 
Tenor  to  me  in  hand  well  &  truly  paid  by  Mr.  Isaiah 
Dunster  of  Harwich  in  ye  county  of  Barnstable  in  ye 
province  aforesd  Clerk  and  Jason  Dunster  Edward  Dick- 


42  HEXRY    DUXSTER  AND   HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

6' 

son  and  James  Cutler  Jnu'"  all  of  Cambridge  aforesd 
Husbandmen  and  Also  in  consideration  of  certain  Privi- 
liges*  &  Improvements  on  ye  Estate  of  my  Husband 

Decesed  by  me  still  to  be  enjoyed  Have  Given 

unto  the  said  Isaiah  Dunster  Jason  Dnnster  Edward 


Dickson  &  James  Cutler  Jun^  their  Heirs  &  Assigns 
forever  equally  as  tenants  in  common  all  the  Right  Title 
Interest,  Claim  Challenge  &  Demand  whatsoever  which 
I  ye  sd  Abigail  Dunster  have  had  or  Ought  to  have  (in 
&  unto  ye  estate  both  Real  &  Personal  where  of  my  late 
husband  Henry  Dunster  Jnn''  Died  Seized  and  Possessed) 
by  virtue  of  marriage  or  by  any  other  ways — means 
whatsoever. 

The  Sd  estate  consisting  of  about  forty  acres  in  the 
Homstead  with  one  Dwelling  House  and  a  Barn  Stand- 
ing on  ye  Same  Also  about  Ten  Acres  of  Pasture  Land 
on  the  South  easterly  side  of  ye  Road  over  against  sd 
Homstead  To  Have  &  to  Hold  all  ye  above  sd  Estate 
*****  unto  them  ye  sd  Isaiah  Dunster  Jason 
Dunster  Edward  Dickson  &  James  Cutler  their  Heirs  & 
Assigns  forever  To  their  only  proper  use  benefit  &  behoof 
forevermore  *****  shall  &  may  from  time  to 
time  and  at  all  times  forever  hereafter  by  force  &  Virtue 
of  these  presents  Lawfully  Peaceably  &  Quietly  Have 
Hold  Use  Imjirove  Occupy  Possess  &  Enjoy  ye  above 
Remised  &  Released  Premises  without  the  Lawful  Lett 
Suit  Denyall  Contradiction  or  Expulsion  of  me  ye  sd 
Abigail  Dunster     *     *     * 

In  Witness  Whereof  I  ye  sd  x\bigail  Dunster  have 
hereunto  set  my  hand  &  Seal  This  Twentieth  Day  of 
December  In  ye'^Twenty  Third  year  of  his  Maj.'^'  Reign: 
Anno  DominiOne  thousand  seven  hundred  &  forty  nine. 
Signed  Sealed  &  Delivered     Abigail  Dunster  [seal] 

in  presence  of  us 
Charles  Moor 
Aaron  Cutter         Vera  Cojna.    Atts'  Sam'l  Cooke. 

*  It  is  probable  that  the  "certain  privileges  and  improve- 
ments" on  the  estate  of  Henry  Dunster,  Jr.,  "  by  me  still  to  be 
enjoyed,"  gave  rise  to  the  repeated  lawsuits  between  the  Dnnsters 
and  Jonathan  Harrington,  who  married  the  widow  of  Henry  D. 
Fragments  of  the  writs  are  still  in  the  family,  by  which  it  appears 
that'Harrington  recovered  ninety  pounds. 


ELIZABETH'    UUXSTEIl   CARTERET.  43 

7 

Middlesex  ss.     Dec  22  1749 
Then  The  Within  Named  Abip-ail  Dunster  apiieurd  tS: 
acknowledged  ye  within  writteu  Instrument  to  be  Her 
free  Act  &  Deed  before  me 

William  Lawrexce  J.Pacis." 

On  the  copy  of  this  deed  is  the  mark  of  the  nails  in 
the  heel  of  a  boot,  made  probably  to  identifi)  the  paper. 
Such  an  act  was  common  in  "old  times."' 

vii.  Elizabeth*  Dunster,  b.  May  9,  bap.  May  10, 
1724,  d.  June  27,  172  ,  [last  figure  gone.] 

13%.  viii.  Jason*  Dunster,  b.  July  24,  1725,  N. 
S.,  bap.  July  18,  1725.  (For  this  discrepancy,  see  note 
to  Rev.  Isaiah  Dunster  on  a  subsequent  p:ige. )  He  mar- 
ried J^ebccca  Cutter  Nov.  G,  1749,  and  died  in  Mason, 
X.  H.,  Feb.  19,  1805. 

ix.     Eunice*  Dunster,  born  May  21,  bap.  May  2G, 

1728,  died  July  11,  same  year. 

X.     Jonathan*  Dunster,  b.   May  27,  bap.  June  1, 

1729,  died  July  9,  same  year. 

xi.  Ruth* ^Dunster,  b.  Oct.  1,  bap.  Oct.  7,  1733, 
died  June  30,  1735.  She  was  the  other  child  referred 
to  by  Chaplin  as  one  of  the  grand-chWi^vQw.  Her  grave 
stone  is  close  to  President  Duuster's,  and  is  inscribed: 

Ruth  Dunster, 
Daug"'  of  Mr.  Henry 
&  Mrs.^  Martlia 

Dunster,  Died 
June  30  1735     Age^' 
1  year  &  9  months. 

7.  iv.  Elizabeth^  (Dunster)  Carteret  {Jona- 
than,'^ Henry, ^)  was  born  about  1699,  not  Feb.  22, 
1681-2,  as  stated  in  Life  H.  D.,  p.  237,  that  Elizabeth 
died  young.  She  was  married  Xoa'.  16,  1727,  to  Capt. 
Philip  Carteret,  or  DeCarterct,  a  mariner,  of  Boston. 
The  record  of  their  marriage  in  Charlestown  is:  "  Pliilip 
Cartwright  of  Boston  &  Elizabeth  Dunster  of  this  town 
were  joyned  in  marriaire  by  the  Reverend  ^Ir.  Simon 
Bradstreet,  Xovember  16,  1727."  She  was  admitted  to 
*5 


44  HENRY    DUKSTER   AND   HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

7 

lull  communion  in  Medford  Chnrcli  April  21,  1728,  and 
dismissed  to  Menotomy  Church  Sept.  1,  1739.  The}^ 
lived  in  Charlestown,  but  the  place  was  called  Cambridge 
Precinct,  and  is  now  Ailington,  He  was  master  of  a 
vessel  sailing"  from  Boston,  and  was  probably  born  about 
1703,  in  France,  as  the  nnme  would  imply.  He  owned 
landed  property  to  considerable  extent  in  the  vicinity  of 
Cambridge.  When  absent  on  voyages  his  wife  signed 
his  name  to  all  necessary  papers,  as  appears  by  public 
records.  She  was  evidently  a  woman  of  more  than  ordi- 
nary executive  ability,  and  made  a  prominent  impression 
on  her  relatives.  Every  branch  of  the  Dunster  family, 
within  our  knowledge,  has  retained  a  memory  of  "Aunt 
Carteret,"  or,  as  most  of  them  call  her,  "Aunt  Cart- 
wright." 

In  1857,  Edward  S.  Dunster,  then  a  student  in  Har- 
vard College,  visited  Westminster  and  Gardner,  Mass., 
to  obtain  information  of  the  "Dunster  Descendants." 

Mrs.  Precilla  (Dunster)  Estabrook,  then  70  years  old, 
(a  notice  of  whom  will  appear  farther  on,)  told  him, 
with  other  traditions  whicli  may  be  referred  to  in  other 
pages,  and  which  he  copied  verbatim:  "1  used  to  hear 
much  talk  about  Aunt  (Jartwright,  sister  of  my  grand- 
father. She  lived  in  Notomy.  When  the  Kegulars 
were  in  Boston,  she  took  her  silver  and  hid  it  in  the  ash 
heap;  her  money  she  sewed  up  in  a  leather  apron  and 
threw  it  into  the  well.  My  grandmother  often  used  to 
talk  about  Aunt  Cartwright,  and  used  to  tell  the  story  of 
President  Dunster's  laying  tlie  Devil." 

Capt.  Carteret  died  at  Arlington,  and  the  inscription 
on  his  grave  stone  in  the  Dunster  group  is:  "  Here  Lyes 
Buried  the  Bodv  of  Capt.  Philip  DeCarteret,  who  de- 
parted this  Life  April  10,  1767.  Aged  64  years."  She 
survived  him  twenty  years,  and  managed  the  property, 
which  was  large,  during  her  life.  She,  also,  was  buried 
in  Arlington,  and  the  inscri]ition  is:  "Erected  to  the 
memory  of  Mrs.  Elizabeth  DeCarteret  widow  of  Capt. 
Philip  DeCarteret  who  Died  Jany.  25  1787  in  the  88 
year  of  her  age."  She  was  one  of  the  original  members 
of  Cambridge  Second  Church,  organized  Sei)t.  9,  1739. 


CHILDREN  OF  CAPTAIN  P.  CARTERET.       45 

7 

The  children  of  Capt.  P.  Carteret  unci  Elizabeth* 
(Dunster)  Carteret  were: 

i,  Mary^  Carteret,  born  1T30,  died  Xov.  17,  1751, 
aged  21  years. 

ii.  Rl'TH*  Carteret,  born  173G,  died  June  3,  1754, 
aged  18  years. 

iii.  Elizabeth*  Carteret,  born  1737,  died  June  8, 
1751,  aged  14  years. 

iv.  Abigail*  Carteret,  born  about  1739  or  1740, 
married  Oct.  12,  1758,  William  Whittemore,  who  was 
the  son  of  Samuel*  and  Elizabeth  (Sjiring)  Whittemore. 
He  graduated  at  Harvard  College,  1755,  was  admitted 
"full  communion  to  Menotomy  Church  Oct.  26,  1755." 
Abigail,  his  wife,  was  admitted  to  the  same  church  July 
29,  1781.  She  died  Aug.  27,  1809,  aged  70  years.  He 
died  in  West  Cambridge,  March  17,  1818,  aged  86  years. 

*  Samuel  Whittemore,  the  father  of  AVilliam  Whittemoie,  (H. 
C,  1755,)  died  at  :Menotomy,  Feb.  2,  1793.  "When  tlie  British 
troops  marched  to  Lexington  he  was  81  years  old,  and  one  of  the 
first  on  the  parade.  He  was  armed  with  a  gun  {Ki/ifj's  Ann)  and 
horse  pistols.  After  an  animated  exhortation  to  the  collected 
militia  to  the  exertion  of  bravery  and  courage,  he  exclaimed,  '  If 
I  can  only  be  instrumental  of  killing  one  of  my  country's  foes,  1 
shall  die  in  peace.'  The  prayer  of  this  venerable  old  man  was 
heard,  for  on  the  return  of  the  troops  from  Lexington  he  lay  be- 
hind a  stone  wall  and  discharged  his  gun.  A  soldier  immediatelj' 
fell.  He  then  discharged  his  pistol  and  killed  another,  at  which 
instant  a  ball  struck  his  face  and  shot  away  part  of  his  cheek 
bone,  on  which  tt  number  of  soldiers  ran  up  to  the  wall  and  gorged 
their  malice  on  his  wounded  head.  Thej'  were  heard  to  exclaim, 
'  We  have  killed  the  old  man.'  About  four  hours  after,  he  was 
found  in  a  mangled  situation  His  head  was  covered  with  blood 
from  the  wounds  of  the  baj'onet,  which  were  six  or  eight,  but, 
providentially,  none  penetrated  so  far  as  to  destroy  him.  His  hat 
and  clothes  were  sliot  through  in  man}'  places,  yet  he  survived  to 
see  the  complete  overthrow  of  his  enemies  and  his  countr}'  enjoy 
all  the  blessings  of  peace  and  independence.  His  funeral  will  be 
to-morrow  at  four  o'clock,  P.  M.,  from  his  house  at  Menotomy, 
which  liis  relations  and  friends  are  requested  to  attend."  {Colina- 
biun  Ceiitinel,  Feb.  6,  1793.) 

"This  old  gentleman  was  posted  in  the  rear  of  the  house  of 
Hon.  .James  Russell,  in  West  Cambridge,  on  the  road  to  Woburn, 
awaiting  the  return  of  the  enemy  from  Lexington.  On  discover- 
ing the  flank  guard  (five  in  number)  approaching,  a  friend  who 
was  with  him  deserted  him,  but  he  refused  to  run,  saying,  '  I  am 


46  HENKY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

7 

Kev.  L.  R.  Paige,  referring  to  the  Cambridge  records 
then  in  his  hand,  said  the  children  of  Abigail  (Carteret) 
and  WilUam  Whittemore,  A.  M.,  were: 

1.  Elizabeth^  Carteeet  Whittemore,  b.  April  4, 
17G3,  bap.  at  West  Cambridge  April  lU,  1763.  She 
died  Nov.  8,  1763,  aged  7  months. 

2.  Elizabeth^  Carteret  Whittemore,  b.  Oct.  6, 
bap.  Oct.  7,  1764.  She  married  first,  Moses  Robbins, 
and  second,  John  Frost,  Nov.  9,  1802,  pnblished  Aug. 
14,  1802.  Frost's  first  wife  died  March  18,  1802.  She 
died  May  1,  1813,  tiged  49  years.  She  was,  probably, 
also  the  mother  of  William  Whittemore  Frost,  who  was 
baptized  Nov.  20,  1803,  of  whom  there  is  no  other 
record.     [Cutter  Famihi,  p.  40.) 

3.  Philip^  Carteret  Whittemore,  b.  Sept.  1,  bap. 
Sept.  7,  1766,  married  Lydia  Phelps. 

4.  William^  Whittemore,  b.  Jan.  28,  bap.  Jan. 
29,  1769,  d.  July  3,  1771,  aged  2  years,  5  mos.  6  days. 

5.  William^  Whittemore,  b.  June  30,  bap.  July 
5,  1772,  married  Feb.  2,  1796,  Anna  Cutter,  daughter  of 
Samuel  and  Rebecca  (Hill)  Cutter,  of  Menotomy.  She 
was  born  June  19,  1771.  She  was  baptized,  no  doubt, 
on  a  profession  of  faith  Nov.  24,  1799,  at  Second  Cliurch 
in  Cambridge.  At  the  same  time,  her  husband  owned 
the  covenant,  and  their  first  child,  Ann,  was  baptized. 
He  was  a  farmer,  residing  on  his  wife's  father's  home- 
stead, and  died  in  Chelsea,  Mass.,  Oct.  17,  1854.  She 
died  Oct.  27,  1849.     Had  seven  children: 

(i)  Ann^  Whittemore,  b.  Oct.  21,  bap.  at  Meno- 
tomy, Nov.  24,  1799.     She  married  May  26,  1822,  (May 

eighty  years  old  and  I  will  not  leavi%  for  I  am  willing  to  die  if  I 
can  kill  one  British  red  coat.'  On  the  nearer  approach  of  the 
'  guard  '  he  shot  one  with  his  gun  and  another  with  his  pistol,  and 
while  raising  his  second  pistol  he  received  a  wound  in  his  face 
*  *  *  He  was  taken  to  the  hospital  (Cooper's  Tavern)  on  the 
corner  of  Medford  road,  in  West  Cambridge.  Surgeons  Welch 
and  Spring  dressed  his  wounds  (one  shot  wound  and  thirteen 
bayonet  wounds).  He  was  born  July  27,  1696,  and  his  tomb 
stone,  now  in  the  burying  ground  in  West  ('ambridge,  has  the 
following  inscription,  viz.:  'In  Memory  of  Capt.  Samuel  Whit- 
temore who  departed  this  life  Feb.  2  1793  Aged  98  years.'" 
{See  Hint.  Cutter  Family,  JY.  E.,  Supplement  p.  390.) 


THE    WHITTEMORE    FAMILY.  47 

7 

23,  Hist.  Lexington)  Samuel  Adams,  born  'u\  West  Cam- 
bridge, Sept.  28,  1790.  Thev  removed  to  Lexington  in 
1827.  He  died  Sept.  IG,  18GG.  She  died  May  14,  18G2. 
They  had  four  children: 

(1)  Annas'  Adams,  b.  June  5,  1823.  She  married 
April  2,  1867,  John  Beals. 

(2)  W.  Frank'  Adams,  b.  April  16,  1829,  married 
Emma  C.  Balles,  of  New  Jersey. 

(3)  Robinson'  Adams,  b.  jSTov.  24,  1832,  went  to 
New  York,  died  18GG. 

(4)  Georgia'  Adams,  b.  June  6,  1839,  m.  May  10, 
1857,  Albert  Griffith,  of  West  Caml)ridge.  She  died 
May,  1859.     {Hist.  Lexington.) 

(ii)  Eleanor"  Whittemore,  b.  June  25,  1801,  died 
Oct.  0,  1805. 

(iii)  William  Augustus*'  Whittemore,  b.  Nov.  30, 
1804,  married  Abigail  C.  TufEts,  Jan.  8,  1838.  He  died 
in  Arlington,  April  24,  18G7.  He  resided  on  his  father's 
homestead.  She  is  living  in  Arlington,  and  has  six 
children: 

(1)  William  Augustus'  Whittemore,  b.  — ,  unm. 

(2)  Abb  IE  I.'  Whittemore,  b. ,  married  Simeon 

Barker,   of  Arlington.      They  have  a  daughter,  Emma 
Gertrude®  Barker. 

(3)  Ephraim  T.'  Whittemore,  b.  ,  unmarried. 

(4)  Benjamin  F.'  Whittemore,  b. ,  unmarried. 

(5)  Lizzie'  Whittemore,  b.  ,  m.  Clarence  F. 

Hobbs,   of  Arlington.      Thev  have  a  daughter^   Laura 
E.«  Hobbs,  b.  . 

(G)     George  Henry'  Whittemore,  b. ,  unm. 

(iv)  Susan  Frances®  Whittemore,  born  May  11, 
1807,  m.  Pascal  Sprague,  of  West  Cambridge,  April  15, 
1832,  and  died  Jan.  17,  1850.     They  had  four  children: 

(1)  George'  Sprague,  b.  ,  m.  ,  and  died 

without  issue. 

(2)  Harriet  A.'  Sprague.  b.  ,  married  George 

Going,   of   Boston.      They   have  four  children,   whose 
names  have  not  been  obtained. 

(3)  John'  Sprague,  b.  ,  now  in  California. 


48  HENRY    DUNSTER    AND    HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

7 

(-i)  Mary  Ella^  Sprague,  dead.  Possibly,  others 
died  young. 

(v)  Eleanor  Sophia"  Whittemore,  born  Nov.  24, 
1809,  married  John  P.  Daniels,  Oct.  18,  183-2,  died  in 
Arlington,  Dec.  25,  1868.     They  had  children: 

(1)  Ellen  S.''  Daniels,  b. ,  m.  Edwin  Robbins, 

and  had  Frank,^  Henry  Parker,^  Nellie,^  and  Nathan* 
Robbins. 

(2)  John  P.'^  Daniels,  b.  ,  m.  Sarah  Hanson. 

Have  two  children. 

(3)  Harriet^  Daniels,  b.  ,  unmarried. 

(4)  Sarah  A.''  Daniels,  b.  ,  m.  Albert  Winn, 

Jr.,  of  Arlington.  They  had  two  children,  both  died 
young.  The  other  children  of  John  P.  and  Eleanor 
Sophia  (Sprague)  Daniels  died  young. 

(vi)  George  Washington®  Whittemore,  b.  May  5, 
1812,  m.  Cynthia  Richardson,  and  died  July  17,  1870. 
He  was  proprietor  of  Wilde's  Hotel,  Elm  street,  Boston. 
Their  children  were: 

(1)  George  Henry  ^  Whittemore,  b. ,  unm. 

(2)  Frank  ^  Whittemore,  born  ,  married,  and 

believed  to  have  two  children. 

(3)  Helen'  Whittemore,  b. — ,  num.,  and  deceased. 

(4)  Florence'  Whittemore,  b.  ,  m.  a  clergy- 
man, and  died  within  a  few  days  (Dec,  1875). 

(5)  Fred'  Whittemore. 

(6)  W'illie'  Whittemore. 

(vii)  Thomas'  Whittemore,  b.  May  9,  1815,  mar- 
ried Clara  Richardson,  of  Fitchburg,  Mass.,  July  27, 
1837,  resides  at  Chelsea,  and  have  two  children: 

(1)  Thomas®  Whittemore,  b.  ,  married  Abbie 

Clark,  and  have  two  children: 

(i)     LiLLiE*  Whittemore. 
(ii)    Cora*  Whittemore. 

(2)  Clara'  Whittemore,  b.  ,  m.  William  W. 

Viles.     No  children. 

0.     Abigail^  W^hittemore,  b.   Aug.   IG,  bap.  Aug. 


DAVID ^    DUNSTER.  49 

8 

18,  1776,  married  John  Daveni)ort,  both  of  Cambridge. 
Presumed,  says  Mr.  Paige,  to  be  tlie  keeper  of  the 
Davenport  Tavern. 

8.  vii.  David ^  Dunster  [Junatlinn,'^  Henry, ^)  was 
the  seventh  and  youngest  child  of  Jonatlian  ^  and  Deb- 
orah (Wade)  Dunster,  and  was  born  in  Charlestown 
about  1706.  He  was  a  "Minor"  "in  the  twentyeth 
year  of  age"  when  his  father  died  in  1726.  Joseph 
Hartwell  was  appointed  his  guardian.  His  bond  is  re- 
corded in  Middlesex  probate  office.  In  some  documents 
he  is  called  a  tanner.  He  married,  about  1730,  Mary, 
daughter  of  Hubbard  and  Elizabeth  (Dickson)  Enssell. 
She  was  baptized  Dec.  14,  1713,  and  was  admitted  full 
communion  Sept.  6,  1741,  to  the  Second  Church  in 
Cambridge  (Mr.  Cooke's).  Her  husband,  David, ^  Avas 
admitted  full  communion  June  13,  1742.  He  had 
"  owned  the  covenant "  previouslv.  Thev  were  "regu- 
larly dismissed"  from  that  cliurch  "Oct.  17,  1742,  to 
be  imbodyed  in  a  church  to  be  gathered  at  Narraganset 
No.  2,  so  called."  {Rev.  3£r.  CooJce.)  Mary  (Eussell), 
wife  of  David  ^  Dunster,  Avas  a  niece  of  Martha  Eussell, 
the  wife  of  Henry ^  Dunster. 

[Jonathan,  Thomas,  David,  Elizabeth  and  Dorothy, 
all  children  of  Jonathan^  and  Deborah  (Wade)  Dunster, 
"owned  the  covenant,"  and  were  baptized  in  Cambridge 
First  Church,  April  14,  1723.  J 

At  the  settlement  of  his  father's  estate,  before  referred 
to,  he  came  into  possession  of  large  landed  property  in 
Cambridge  Precinct,  then  called  Menotomy  Field,  after- 
wards West  Cambridge,  now  Arlington. 

"In  1646  the  Inhabitants  of  Charlestown  granted  to 
Henry  Dunster  Prest.  of  the  college  and  his  heirs  &  as- 
signs Wenatomie  or  Menatomy  bounded  with  Cambridge 
bounds  on  one  side,  Misticke  pond  &  Eiver  and  Menotomy 
brook  being  the  bounds  of  said  field  on  the  other  side." 
This  tract  seems  to  have  comprised  the  greater  part  of 
that  interesting  section  now  in  Arlington  limits,  known 
even  till  quite  lately  as  Charlestown  End,  and  from  its 
shape  was  vulgarly  y'cleped  by  fellows  of  the  baser  sort 
as  "Squash  End."     Here,  at  the  head,  was  the  cele- 


50  HENRY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

s 

brated  Square  Sachem  Reservation,  under  the  shadow  of 
high  hills,  whence  is  mow  obtained  a  wonderful  view  of 
the  surrounding  territory.  The  mansion  house  of  David 
Dunster,  sold  to  Joseph  Winship,  which  was  torn  down 
in  1798,  had  a  hipped  roof,  and  William  R.  Cutter,  who 
fnrnished  this  sketch,  says  that  it  is  well  rememl^ered 
by  his  present  living  grand-parents,  who  conld  tell  how 
many  windows  there  were,  and  the  number  of  rooms  on 
each-  floor.  The  house  was,  they  believe,  unpainted  on 
the  outside,  like  many  at  that  day. 

"David  Dunster  of  Charlestown  yeoman  by  Deed 
March  12  1742  conveyed  for  £750  to  Joseph  Winship 
the  younger  of  Cambridge  yeoman  the  home  place  north 
west  of  the  road  with  the  house  and  barn  namely  18 
acres  of  Land  in  Charlestown  bounded  E.  and  N.  E.  by 
Medford  river  and  pond  N.  \Y.  and  N.  E.  on  Simon 
Holden's  land  W.  by  a  'drift-way'  leading  to  said  Hol- 
den's  land,  South  on  land  of  Jonathan  Dunster  there 
being  a  road  leading  from  Medford  over  the  'wairs'  to 
Menotomy  running  through  said  Messuage  and  under- 
stood to  be  excepted  in  this  deed  and  also  3  acres  of  Salt 
marsh  in  Medford  bounded  east  on  Solomon  Page's* 
Marsh  S.  on  Medford  River  N,  on  Ebenezer  Cutters  and 
W.  on  John  Willis  marsh,  with  a  dwelling  house  &  barn 
on  the  abovesaid  18  acres  or  homestead. 

Witness  (Signed)         David  Dunster 

Philip  Carteret  Mary  Dunster 

Jonathan  Robinson  " 

Again,  "  David  Dunster  of  Narragansett  township  No. 
2  so  called  in  the  county  of  Worcester  yeoman  for  £250  in 
good  bills  of  the  old  Tenor  conveyed  Nov.  18  1742  to  Jo- 
seph Winshi]i  of  Clnirlestown  Middlesex  county  yeoman 
11:^  acres  of  Land  in  Charlestown  bounded  N.  E.  by  land 
of  Joseph  Winship  N.  VV.  on  a  highway  leading  to  Med- 
ford S.  W.  on  a  two  rod  Roadway  joining  to  Geo.  Cutter 
land  and  S.  E.  by  George  Cutter's  land  and  East  by 
Medford  River.  Dunster's  wife's  name  Mary.  Signed 
by  him  only.  Ephraim  Frost  and  John  Cutter  wit- 
nesses.    Eben  Trowbridge  Just.  Peace." 

*  This  was  the  Solomon  Page  who  married  his  sister. 


DAVID*    DUNSTER'S   WILL.  51 

8 

"At  a  meeting  of  the  proprietors  of  Narragansett  No 
2  at  tlie  house  of  Mr.  Ebenezer  Stedman  in  Cambridge 
Dec.  2d  1741  in  the  division  of  Upland  David  Dunster 
drew  a  lot  No  10  Home  lot."  In  a  second  division  of 
upland  he  had  tlie  same  number  of  the  lots,  and  also 
the  same  in  a  division  of  meadow  lots. 

"At  a  meeting  of  the  proprietors  of  Narragansett  No. 
2  held  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Ebenezer  Stedman  in  Cam- 
bridge 1st  September  1742 voted  and  accepted 

the  Acre  of  land  given  by  Mr.  Dunster  for  a  burying 
place  and  chose  Mr.  Ilolden,  Mr.  More,  Mr.  Hoar,  Mr. 
Bemas,  Miller  &  Bigalow  a  committee  to  stake  it  out  and 
take  a  deed  of  Mr.  Dunster  for  the  same."  {West- 
minster Town  Records. ) 

Mrs.  Priscilla^  (Dunster)  Estabrook,  to  whom  refer- 
ence is  made  in  Elizabeth^  (Dunster)  Carteret,  related: 
"  My  Grandfather,  David,  was  not  a  son  of  President  D; 
of  this  I  am  positive.*  My  Grandfather,  David,  was  the 
third  settler  iu  this  town  [Westminster].  He  had  a  gar- 
rison house  near  where  the  Baptist  Meeting  House  noAv 
stands."  At  one  time  he  was  directed  to  put  his  garri- 
son house  in  better  condition  for  defence. 

The  cpiantity  of  land  in  Narragansett  No.  2,  drawn 
by  David  Dunster,  must  have  been  large,  for  Jan.  14, 
1744,  he  sold  two  lots,  of  sixty  acres  each,  to  William 
Brattle  for  25  pounds  lawful  money,  which  "I  drew 
myself  upon  the  tenth  lot  which  I  purchased  of  Wm. 
Wallace  of  Medford."  There  are  also  four  deeds  of 
parts  of  this  tenth  lot  recorded. 

In  1758  he  made  a  will,  of  which  the  following  is  a 
sketch : 

"  In  the  name  of  God  Amen  this  nineteenth  day  of 
May  One  thousand  seven  hundred  and  fifty  eight  *  *  * 
I  David  Dunster  of  a  place  called  Nargansett  Township 
No  2  in  the  county  of  Worcester    *     *    Husbandman 

1st  I  give  and  recommend  my  Soul  into  the  Hands 
of  God  that  gave  it  and  my  body  into  the  Earth    *    *    * 

*  111  the  family  records  of  some  of  the  Westminster  Dunster's, 
Jonathan''  had  been  omitted,  making  David^  the  son  of  Henry } 
In  this  Mrs.  Estabrook  was  right. 
6 


52  HENRY    DUXSTER    AXD    HIS    DESCEXDAXTS. 

8 

nothing  doul)tino'  1  shall  receive  the  same  again  at  the 
Resurrection  by  the  mighty  power  of  God. 

Imprimis.  I  give  unto  Mary  my  beloved  wife  and  nnto 
Hubbard  and  Thomas  my  two  oldest  sons  all  my  real 
and  personal  estate  and  all  my  utensils  for  husbandry — 
goods  with  claims  *  *  *  to  my  Avife  whom  I  constitute 
and  appoint  executrix  with  my  oldest  son  Hubbard,  To 
my  wife  I  say  1  give  and  bequeath  my  house  and  all  my 

lands  during  her  continuance  of  my  widow but  if 

she  see  cause  to  marry  again  to  acquit  her  right  to  all 
my  Estate. 

Item.  To  Hubbard  f  of  my  real  &  personal  estate 
after  my  wife  has  done  with  it.  To  Thomas  ^  do.  To 
Elizabeth  Taj'lor  wife  of  James  Taylor  my  eldest  daugh- 
ter   £2  10s.  over  and  above  what  she  has  already 

had  and  besides  what  I  did  for  her  in  her  sickness.  To 
Mary  Bemis  wife  of  David  Bemis  my  2nd  daughter  be- 
sides what  she  had  at  her  setting  out  and  what  she  had 
in  cash  of  me  I  bequeath  her  10  shillings. 

To  Marguary  Duuster  my  third  daughter  I  give  & 
bequeath  four  pounds. 

To  Euhamah  my  fourth  daughter  I  give  and  bequeath 
four  pounds. 

To   Carteret  Henry  Duuster  my  youngest  son  when 

one  and  twenty  Fifty  Pounds — to  be  paid  f  by 

Hubbard  and  ^  by  Thomas  and  I  further  order  that  he 

shall  live  with  his  mother  and  Hubbard  till  21 

Hubbard  and  Thomas  to   have  six  years  to  pay  these 

legacies I  further  add  that  none  of  my  estate  shall 

be  prised  [appraised]. 

Item.  To  the  Rev,  Isaiah  Dunster  of  Harwich  I  give 
a  gold  Ring.  (Codicil)  I  give  to  Afarguary  &  Ruhamah 
a  low  chest  of  Drawers  apiece,  Three  pewter  Platters 
apiece  4-  a  Doz.  Chairs  apiece.  Recorded  Worcester 
Probate"' office  4  Oct.  1758." 

David ^  Ddx"STER  died  in  the  summer  of  1758. 

Mrs.  Estabrook  says:  "My  grandfather  died  in  Rut- 
land, in  this  State,*  of  the  camp  disorder.     He  had  gone 

*  Rutland,  " /«  this  State.'"  This  error  was  the  result  of  con- 
founding two  different  events.  The  prisoners  at  Rutland,  Mass., 
were  British,  captured  with  Burgoyne  in  1777. 


MARTHA^    DUXSTER.  53 

9 

to  see  his  son  Tlionuis,  my  father,  who  was  a  soldier  in 
the  war,  and  was  sick  at  Ruthind  with  the  same  disease. 
^iy  father  ^^ot  well,  but  grandfather  died."'  In  a  subse- 
((uent  letter  her  daughter.  Miss  Betsey  Estabrook,  states 
that  her  mother  says:  "  He  died  in  Rutland,  at  the  bar- 
racks, where  he  went  to  care  for  his  sick  son,  Thomas, 
then  about  twenty  years  old,  stationed  there  for  the  ex- 
change of  prisoners  of  war.  He  recovered.  His  father 
took  the  camp  disorder  and  died,  and  was  buried  in  the 
barracks  there."  This  must  have  been  at  the  disastrous 
campaign  against  Ticonderoga  in  the  French  war.  That 
event  took  place  in  July,  1758. 

His  wife,  Mary  (Russell)  Dunster,  died  after  1772. 
They  had  seven  children: 

14^.  i.  Elizabeth*  (Betty),  baptized  April  25, 
1730-1,  married  James  Taylor. 

lo  §.  ii.  Mary^  (Molly),  baptized  March  4,  1732, 
married  David  Bemis. 

16^.     iii.     Hubbard,*  born  1735?  m.  Ruth  Bailey. 

17^.  iv.  Thomas,*  baptized  May  8,  1737,  married 
Lidia  Peirce. 

18^.  V.  Margary,*  baptized  Dec.  23,  1739,  mar- 
ried Joshua  Wilder. 

19  §.     vi.     RuHAMA,*  born  ,  m.  Dudley  Bailey. 

20^.     vii.    Carteret*  Hexry,  b.  ,  m.  . 

9.  i.  Martha* Dunster  {Henry, ^  Jonafhan,- Henry, ^) 
was  born  at  Cambridge  Feb.  7,  bap.  Feb.  13,  1708-9,  and 
was  admitted  to  church  Jan.  14,  1727-8.  She  married 
Marcb  18,  1730-31,  Edward  Dixon,  or  Dickson  as  it  was 
afterwards  written.  He  was  the  son  of  John  Dixon, 
Avho  married  Margary  Winship,  Cambridge,  May  12, 
1687.  She  died  Oct.  6,  1734,  in  lier  72d  year.  He  died 
March  22,  1737,  in  his  82d  year.  John  Dixon  was  son 
of  William  D.,  who  was  freeman,  1(342,  and  member  of 
Cambridge  Church.  The  Avife  of  William  was  Jane,  who 
died  Dec.  4,  1G89,  aged  73.  On  William's  grave  stone 
is  inscribed: 

"  The  memory  of  y''  Just  is  blessed."  ( Canih.  Epitaphs.) 
He,  Edward,  was  baptized  Jan.  18,  1702,  and  admit- 
ted member  of  Cambridge  First  Church  June  30,  1728, 


54  HENRY    DUNSTER   AND   HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

9 

about  six  months  after  Martha*  Dnnster,  and  died  in 
Cambridge,  May,  1787,  aged  86  years.  The  date  of  his 
wife's  death  has  been  doubted.  Following  the  Cam- 
bridge Epitaphs,  we  placed  it,  in  Life  H.  D.,  p.  238,  in 
1800.  It  is  in  the  Epitaphs,  Mrs.  "  Martha  Dixon  died 
1800."  In  a  will  of  her  husband,  dated  1753,  her  name 
is  mentioned,  but  in  a  will  of  "  Fdward  Dixon,''  dated 
April  6,  1788,  there  is  no  mention  of  her.  The  latter 
will  was  that  of  Edward^  Dixon,  her  son,  who  died  tiii- 
married.  They  had  seven  children,  baptized  at  Cam- 
bridge First  Church: 

i.  Edward^  Dickson,  baptized  April  2,  1732,  died 
May  3,  1732,  aged  1  month,  2  days.  Grave  stone  in  Old 
Cambridge  burying  ground.     {^Cambridge  E'pita'plis.') 

ii.  Martha"  Dickson,  born  Dec.  8,  1734,  bap.  Dec. 
15,  1734,  d.  in  May,  1788,  unmarried.     {Camb. Records.) 

iii.  Edward^  Dixon,  b.  in  Cambridge  June  7,  bap. 
June  12,  1737.  Edward  Dixon  died  1825.  {Cambridge 
Up  i  tap  lis,  p.  162.)  This  date  is  probably  wrong.  Mr. 
Paige  writes:  "  He  was  a  harness  maker,  and  died  Oct. 
30,  1820.     M  issue." 

iv.  Elizabeth^  Dixon,  bap.  Nov.  4,  1739.  Sam- 
uel Cook,  Jr.,  and  Elizabeth  Dickson  were  married  in 
First  Precinct,  Cambridge,  April  26,  1764.  She  was, 
probably,  this  Elizabeth^  Dixon.  She  was  living  July 
4,  1817.     No  record  of  children. 

V.  Henry  ^  Dickson,  bap.  Nov.  8,  1741,  mar.  July 
24,  1766,  Elizabeth  Cox.  He  ''owned  the  covenant" 
May  24,  1767,  in  order  to  have  his  children  baptized. 
Henry  Dickson  and  Sarah  Cooke,  daughter  of  Kev.  Sam- 
uel Cooke,  were  married  in  Cambridge  Nov.  15,  1774. 
[From  this,  it  appears  that  his  first  wife,  Elizabeth 
(Cox),  died,  leaving  children,  as  he  "owned  the  cove- 
nant" to  have  them  baptized.]     She  died  about  1785, 

and  afterwards  he  married  Mercy .     He  died  Sept. 

23,  1815.  His  widow,  Mercy,  died  Dec.  4,  1815,  aged 
69  or  70.  There  was  a  "  widow  Sarah  Dickson  (Henry's) 
died  of  a  fever  Sept.  30,  1780."  {Cooke.)  She  could 
not  have  been  the  widow  of  this  Henry.  The  three 
children  of  Henry  ^  Dickson,  one  by  each  wife,  were : 


THE    DICKSON"    FAMILY.  55 

9 

1.  Elizabeth®  Dickson,  born  17G7,  daimliter  of 
Elizabeth  (Cox)  Dixon.    She  died  March  3,  1800.    Unm. 

2.  Eunice®  Cooke  Dicksox,  dan.  of  Surah  (Cooke) 
Diekson,  bap.  May  17,  1778,  m.  Dec.  21,  1806,  John 
Goddard,  of  Cambridge.  She  died  prior  to  Feb.  14, 
1817.     They  had: 

(i)  Hannah^  Goddard.  (ii)  Charles'  Henry 
Goddard.     (iii)     John'  Goddard. 

3.  Henry'  Dickson,  son  of  third  wife  (Mercy),  bap. 
Feb.  21,  1790.     He  died  before  his  father. 

vi.  Gilbert^  Dickson,  bap.  Nov.  18,  1744,  married 
Martha  Yarnum. 

vii.  Isaiah^  Dickson,  born  or  bap.  April  12,  1747, 
owned  the  covenant,  "  in  order  his  children  be  baptized," 
Feb.  9,  1777.  He  married  Judte  (Jndith)  Synims,  of 
Wobnrn,  May  15,  1773.  She  died  in  Oct.,  1783,  and  he 
married  Jnly  10,  1788,  Sarah  Cooper.  He  died  Ang., 
1805.     His  children  by  Jndith  (first  wife)  Avere: 

1.  John®  Eliot,  bap.  Feb.  9,  1777,  died  1783. 

2.  Judith,®  bap.  Nov.  10,  1781,  died  1783.  Both 
died  in  the  same  year  with  their  mother. 

By  second  wife,  Sally  Cooper: 

3.  Edward®  Dickson.  4.  Axx^  Cooper  Dick- 
son.    5.     Abigail®  Dickson. 

The  dates  of  the  births  of  these  children  are  nnknown. 
They  were  all  living  in  1820,  and  are  named  in  their 
Uncle  Edward's  will.  Edward  appears  to  have  come  of 
age  in  June,  1814.  Both  of  the  daughters  were  born 
prior  to  1800.  Ann®  Cooper  Dickson  is  thought  to  have 
married  William  Everett.  (H.  D.  B.)  Rev.  L.  R. 
Paige  thinks  Edward®  Dickson  may  have  been  the  one 
who  died  at  Bedford,  Mass.,  March  23,  1825,  aged  33. 

These  items  are  "based  on  researches  in  the  Collec- 
tions of  the  late  Dr.  B.  Cutter,  by  W.  R.  Cutter,"  and 
the  "Records  of  Rev.  L.  R.  Paige?' 

For  the  record  of  vi.  Gilbert^  we  are  entirely  indebted 
to  Henry  Dunster  Billings.  It  is  given  mostly  from  his 
MS.,  but  condensed  a  little  where  it  conld  be.     The 


56  HENEY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

9 

descendants  are  tabulated  to  correspond  with  other  fam- 
ilies. 

vi.  G-iLBERT^  Dickson  {Martlia,*  Henry, ^  Jonathan,'' 
Ilenri/,^)  was  born  1743,  (?)  and  married  Dec.  3,  1773, 
Martha  Yarnum,  born  July  12,  1750,  daughter  of  Jonas 
and  Lydia  (Boyden)  Varnum.  She,  Lydia,  was  daugh- 
ter of  Jonathan  and  Elizabeth  Boyden.  He  kept  a 
tavern  in  Acton,  and  is  styled,  "a  cooper."  Ho  was 
worth  at  one  time  considerable  property.  Later,  he 
owned  a  house  in  Cambridge,  near  the  "College,  wdiere 
he  lived  till  the  close  of  his  life.  He  died  of  lock  jaw 
Sept.  15,  1818.  His  wife  died  June  20,  1800,  aged  50 
years,  from  a  severe  cold,  contracted  while  attending 
Washington's  mock  funeral  in  Cambridge.  They  had 
eight  children: 

1.  Hannah*^  Dickson,  b.  ,  1771,  mar.  Thomas 

Eundle,*  born  in  England.  He  arrived  in  this  country 
with  only  fifty  cents  in  money;  was  a  cabinet  maker  and 
circular  stair  builder,  said  to  be  the  first  of  that  trade  in 
the  country.  He  died  in  Boston  Jan.  5,  1841,  aged  64 
years.  He  was  never  naturalized.  His  wife,  Hannah^ 
D.,  died  of  old  age,  while  on  a  visit  to  her  sister  (Sally 
Shedd)  in  Pepperell.  They  were  childless.  Lived  at  21 
Warren,  now  Washington  street,  and  were  both  buried 
at  Mount  Auburn. 

There  was  a  John  Dickson,  who  married  Lienor 
"Eunel,"  in  Cambridge,  June  30,  1781.     (Cool-e.) 

2.  Sally ^  Dickson,  {Gilbert,^  Martha*  Dunster,)  b. 

,  1775,  m.  Joshua  Shedd.     She  spent  most  of  her 

time  in  Pepperell  with  her  Aunt  Nutting,**  her  mother's 

*  A  letter  from  Z.  Jamison,  of  Cambridge,  Jan.  31,  1837,  to 
Dr.  Martin  Dunster,  says:  "Mr.  'Rundlett'  married  Hannah 
Dickson.  He  was  a  carpenter,  and  lived  in  Pleasant  street,  Bos- 
ton." The  same  letter  says:  "Mrs.  Hammond  lives  also  in 
Boston  (or  did  lately),  and  kept  a  milliner's  shop  in  Washington 
street."  The  letter  also  says :  "A  near  neighbor  of  mine,  a  Mrs. 
Sawin,  is  a  descendant  of  President  Dunster,  and  lives  in  the 
house  of  Mrs.  Monroe  (Cambridge)."  We  have  no  knowledge  of 
this  Mrs.  Sawin.     [S.  D.] 

**The  Nuttings  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  Groton,  which 
originally  contained  Pepperell  and  other  towns.  In  the  papers  of 
Rev.  I.  Dunster  is  an  "Indenture  of  an  Apprentice,"  filled  out, 


INDENTURE    OF    AN    APPRENTICE.  57 

9 

sister,  who,  having  considerable  property  and  no  chil- 
dren, welcomed  those  of  lier  niece.  She  was  for  many 
years  a  member  of  the  Orthodox  Chnrch,  and  a  devoted 
Christian  woman,  beloved  by  all  who  knew  her.  She- 
died  in  Pepperell,  of  heart  disease,  Sept.,  1848,  leaving 
seven  children: 

(i)     Sarah' Shedd,  unmarried, 
(ii)    Martha'   Dickson    Shedd,    married   Orris   T. 
Chapiu,  and  had: 

(1)  Thomas^  Eundle  Chapin. 

(2)  Augustine®  C.  Chapin. 

(iii)     John'  Shedd,  m.  Ruth  Elliot,  and  had  three 

children:     (1)     Mary®  Eveline  Shedd,  who  m.  

Wilson.     (2)     Martha®  Ann  Shedd.     (3)    Unknown. 

(iv)     Sarah'  Shkdd,  died  unmarried. 

(v)      Joshua'  Shedd,  mar.  and  has  three  children. 

(vi)  Mary'  Eveline  Shedd,  mar.  Leonard  Snow, 
has  one  child. 

(vii)     William'  Shedd,  m.  and  has  live  children  (?) 

apparently,  in  his  hand,  and  probabl}' left  with  liini  for  safe  keep- 
ing. This  child  was  made,  by  this  documeut,  a  "servant,"  for 
whose  secitriti/  and  that  of  another  class  of  unfortunates  to  their 
masters,  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  made  special  pro- 
vision. It  is  copied  for  the  benefit  of  our  young  friends,  with 
the  hope  that  they  will  never  experience  what  it  is  to  be  "  bound 
out " : 

"This  Indenture  Witnesseth 
That  Nehemiah  Nutting  son  of  Nathaniel  Nutting  of  Groton  in 
ye  County  of  Middlesex  Husbandman  of  his  own  free  Will  and 
Accord  and  with  the  Consent  of  his  Father  doth  put  and  bind 
himself  to  be  an  Apprentice  unto  William  Nutting  of  Groton 
aforesaid  Husbandman  to  learn  the  Art  Trade  or  Mj-stery  of  an 
Husbandman  and  with  him  the  said  William  Nutting  after  the 
Manner  of  an  Aprintice  to  Dwell  and  Serve  from  the  Day  of  the 
Date  herof  for  and  during  the  full  &  Just  Term  of  Eleven  Years 
next  ensuing  and  fully  to  be  compleat  and  ended.  During  all 
which  said  Term  the  said  Aprentice,  his  said  Master  honestly  and 
faithfully  shall  Serve — his  secrets  keep  close — his  lawful  &  rea- 
sonable Commands  every  where  gladly  Do  and  Perform — Dam- 
age to  his  said  jNIaster  he  shall  not  wilfully  do — his  Masters 
Goods  he  shall  not  waste  embezel  purloine  or  lend  unto  others 
nor  suffer  the  same  to  be  wasted  or  purloined  but  to  his  power 
shall  forthwith  discover  and  make  known  the  same  unto  his  said 


58  HENKY    DUNSTER   AND   HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

9 

3.  Patty  ®  Dickson  ( Gilbert,^  Martha^  Dtinster,)  was 
born  Feb.  6,  1778.  She  was  the  only  child  at  home 
when  her  father  died.  By  arrangement  with  the  other 
heirs  she  kept  the  house,  in  which  she  kept  scholar 
boarders,  and  living  alone,  laid  aside  enough  to  carry 
her  through  life.  About  1837  she  sold  her  house,  and 
lived  with  her  different  relations.  Enfeebled  by  a  severe 
sickness,  she  fell  the  entire  length  of  a  flight  of  stairs, 
fracturing  her  hip,  and  died  in  Cambridge,  Aug.  6,  1808, 
aged  90  years  and  6  months.  She  was  buried  at  Mount 
Auburn.  "  One  of  her  most  cherished  possessions  was 
the  Bible  of  Henry  Dunster,  which  she  rarely  permitted 
to  be  moved  from  her  chamber.  It  was  left  to  the 
writer  (H.  D.  B.),  on  condition  that  he  should  be  named 

Master.  Taverns  or  Ale  houses  he  shall  not  frequent  At  Cards, 
Dice  or  any  other  unlawful  Game  he  shall  not  play.  Fornication 
he  shall  not  commit  nor  Matrimony  contract  with  any  person  dur- 
ing the  said  Term.  From  his  Masters  Service  he  shall  not  at  any 
Time  unlawfully  absent  himself  but  in  all  Things  as  a  good,  hon- 
est and  faithful  Servant  and  Apprentice  shall  bear  and  behave 
himself  towards  his  said  Master  during  the  full  Term  of  Eleven 
Years  commencing  as  aforesaid. 

And  the  said  William  Nutting  for  himself  his  heirs  &c  Doth 
Covenant  Promise  Grant  and  Agree  unto  and  Avith  the  said  Ap- 
prentice in  Manner  &  Form  following  THAT  IS  TO  SAY,  That 
he  will  teach  said  Apprentice  or  cause  him  to  be  Taught  by  the 
best  Ways  and  Means  that  he  may  or  can  the  Trade  Art  or  Mys- 
tery of  a  Husbandman  &c  »&  to  Read  ye  English  Bible  &  to  write 
a  Legible  hand  (if  the  said  Apprentice  be  capable  to  learn)  and 
will  Find  and  Provide  for  and  unto  the  said  Apprentice  good  and 
sufficient  Cloathing,  Meat  Drink  Washing  &  Lodging  both  In 
Sickness  and  In  Health,  fitting  for  an  Apprentice  during  said 
Term  and  at  the  End  of  said  Term  to  dismiss  said  Apprentice 
with  two  Suits  of  apparrill  for  all  parts  of  his  body  one  of  which 
to  be  suitable  for  Lord's  Day  and  other  such  occasions  &  to  pay 
said  Apprintice  Twenty  pounds  equill  to  twenty  pounds  Old 
Tenor  of  this  day  [$8.88].  In  Testirnony  Whereof  The  said  Par- 
ties to  these  presents  Indentures  have  interchangeablj'  set  their 
Hands  and  Seals  the  twenty  sixth  Day  of  November  in  the 
Eighteenth  year  of  the  Reign  of  Our  Sovereign  Lord  George  ye 
Second  by  the  Grace  of  GOD  King  of  Great  Britain  France  and 
Ireland  and  in  the  year  of  Our  Lord  One  Thousand  Seven  Hun- 
dred and  Forty  Four. 

Witness  William  Nutting    [L.  S.] 

Jacob  Nutting. 
John  Shepley  Junr." 


THE    DICKSON   FAMILY.  69 

9 

Henry  Dunster,  with  the  hope  that  he  would  become  a 
Baptist  minister,  which  hope  she  was  permitted  to  in- 
dulge to  the  last." 

4.  John®  H.  Dickson  (Gilbert,^  Martha*  Dunster,) 
Avas  born  1781.  "He  was  a  cabinet  maker,  (learned  his 
trade  in  Maine.)  He  there  became  engaged  to  a  young 
lady;  but  going  to  New  York  city  on  business,  was  taken 
sick  with  yellow  fever,  and  died  Sept.  30,  1805." 

5.  Polly®  Dickson  lived  with  her  Aunt  Nutting 
(on  her  mother's  side)  when  her  sister  Sally  ^  was  mar- 
ried. She  married  Simon  Hosley,  by  whom  she  had  one 
child:  (i)  Simon''  Hosley.  He  died  young.  She 
removed  to  Boston,  and  there  married  Dr.  John  Ham- 
mond, a  widower,  of  Philadelphia.  Dr.  Hammond 
practiced  in  Watertown,  Mass.,  about  three  years,  and 
then  moved  to  Watertown,  N.  Y.,  where  he  died,  leav- 
ing four  children:  (1)  Charles,^  died  in  infancy. 
(2)  Charles^  E.  D.  (3)  Thomas'  Bundle.  (4) 
C.  M.'  Hammond,  a  daughter,  who  married  Luther 
Sanderson. 

6.  Ltdia®  Varnum  Dickson  was  born  Sept.,  1789. 
"  She  devoted  her  life  to  charitable  purposes,  visiting 
the  poor  and  needy  wherever  she  could  find  them. 
Rigidly  Orthodox  in  her  religious  belief  she  never  united 
with  a  church,  looking  in  vain  forone  w^hose  spirituality 
rendered  a  connection  desirable."  She  died  unmarried, 
at  Charlestown,  July  30,  1868. 

7.  Gilbert®  Dickson,  died  in  early  childhood. 

8.  Abigail®  Dickson,  born  Sept.,  1793.  At  the 
age  of  fourteen  or  fifteen  she  went  to  live  with  her  Aunt 
Nutting.  She  was  a  favorite  with  her  uncle  and  aunt. 
She  there  married  her  second  cousin,  Walter  Fiske, 
grand-son  of  Daniel  Fiske  and  Elizabeth  Yarnum,  and 
the  son  of  Walter  and  Phebe  (Abbott)  Fiske.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Nutting  settled  their  home  in  Pepperell  on  this 
young  couple,  on  condition  that  they  should  be  cared 
for  by  them  until  death,  which  was  rigidly  complied 
with.  Both  died  in  their  old  homestead.  On  this 
homestead,  the  six  children  of  Walter  and  Abigail®' 
(Dickson)  Fiske  were  born.  The  family  was  an  un- 
usually happy  one.     But  adversity  came,  and  Mr.  Fiske 


60  HENRY    DUKSTER   AND    HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

9 

was  obliged  to  sell  the  old  place  in  1837.  They  moved 
to  Cambridge,  keeping  boarders  about  a  year.  Thence 
to  Weld,  Maine,  taking  two  of  their  children,  Sarah  and 
Henry,  Avith  them.  They  lived  on  a  farm  about  three 
years,  then  moved  to  Dedham,  Mass.  While  living 
there,  Mrs.  Fiske  came  to  Newton  to  visit  her  daughter, 
Mary  Ann'  Billings,  where  she  died,  Aug.  'Z4:,  1846. 
Was  buried  at  Afount  Auburn. 

The  six  children  of  Walter  and  Abigail"  (Dickson) 
Fiske  are: 

(i)  Mary  Ann''  Fiske,  born  June  6,  1813.  When 
about  eleven  years  old  she  went  to  live  with  her  Aunt 
Hammond,  in  Boston.  Here  she  married  John  Edgar 
Billings,  born  in  Boston,  July  10,  1810.  They  removed 
to  Newton,  Mass.,  about  1844.  Here  Mr.  Billings 
died,  after  a  long  sickness,  Feb.  18,  1857,  was  buried 
at  Mount  Auburn.  His  was  the  only  death  which  has 
occurred  in  the  family.  Mrs.  Billings  is  in  perfect 
health,  her  sister  (Hannah'  Maria)  and  tAVO  younger 
children  living  with  her,  and  the  other  tliree  in  the  im- 
mediate vicinity.     These  five  children  are: 

i.  Charles*  Edgar  Billings,  {Marij  Anji'  Fiske, 
Walter,^  Gilbert^  Dickson,  Martha^  Dunster,)  born  in 
Boston,  Nov.  12,  1834,  entered  the  employ  of  Brewer, 
Stevens  &  Cushing,  druggists,  in  Boston,  when  he  Avas 
fifteen,  and  continued  with  them  and  their  successors 
until  1860.  He  then  entered  the  firm  of  J.  R.  Nichols 
&  Co.,  manufacturing  chemists.  Soon  after  the  great 
fire.  Dr.  Nichols  retired,  and  he  formed  a  new  firm,  Bil- 
lings, Clapp  &  Co.  He  was  superintendent  of  Dr.  Well- 
man's  Sabbath  School,  in  Newton,  for  three  years,  but 
in  consequence  of  an  attack  of  nervous  prostration  in 
May,  1873,  he  resigned  this  position,  and  retired  from 
active  business,  though  his  name  and  interest  continue 
in  the  firm.  He  spent  about  a  year  travcHng  in  Europe 
for  his  health.  Since  his  return,  1874,  he  has  been  rest- 
ing at  his  home.  He  has  for  several  years  been  a  director 
of  the  Newton  National  Bank.  He  married  Aug.  7, 
1861,  Mary  Murdock,  of  Newton.  They  have  three 
children: 


THE    BILLINGS    FAMILY.  61 

9 

(i)  Mary'  Nichols  Billings,  bora  in  Newton, 
June  4,  1868. 

(ii)  Edgar'  Frances  Billings,  born  in  Newton, 
May  4,  1871. 

(iii)  George'  Bacon  Billings,  born  in  Newton, 
June  7,  1872. 

ii.  Edward^  Ttckerman  Billings,  (JoIdi  Edgar'^ 
Fiske^  Dickson,^  J/artJia*  Dtinsfer,)  the  second  child  of 
John  Edgar  and  Mary  Ann  Billings,  was  born  in  Boston, 
Dec.  17,  1838.  entered  the  employ  of  Brewer,  Stevens- 
&  Gushing,  of  Boston,  when  fifteen  years  old.  Upon 
the  failure  of  their  successors,  1860,  he  established  him- 
self at  Newton  in  the  apothecary  business,  which  he  still 
conducts.  He  married  Sept.  1,  1870,  Abbie  Holland 
Ewings,  of  Tow^nshend,  Vermont,  and  has  one  child: 

(i)     Edward'  Abbot  Billings,  born  June  7,  1871. 

iii.  Ellen®  Fiske  Billings,  the  third  child  of  John 
Edgar  and  Mary  Ann  Billings,  born  at  Boston,  May  24, 
1843.  She  was  married  May  19,  1868,  to  James  Albert 
Sullivan,  an  apothecary,  in  Watertown,  Mass.,  where 
they  now  reside.     They  have  one  child: 

(i)     Harriet'  Billings  Sullivan,  b.  Nov.  23, 1873. 

iv.  Emily®  Leavett  Billings,  b.  at  Newton,  Mass., 
Sept.  17,  1845,  completed  her  education  at  the  Newton 
High  School,  and  is  now  living  at  her  mother's. 

v.  Henry®  Dunster  Billings,  {Jolm  E?  Fishe^ 
Dickson,^  Martha^  Dunster,)  born  at  Newton,  July  16, 
1849,  attended  the  Newton  High  School  for  three  years, 
then  spent  six  months  at  the  Lawa-ence  Scientific  School 
at  Gambridge.  Entered  the  employ  of  James  R.  Nichols 
&  Go.  July  9,  1866,  and  has  remained  with  them  and 
their  successors  until  the  present  time.  He  owns  the 
English  Bible  of  Henry  Dunster.* 

*  This  Bible  is  ia  old  English  letters,  having  references  in 
Roman.  It  has  the  Litany  of  Charles  I.  and  Sternhold  and  Hop- 
kins' version  of  the  Psalms  as  far  as  LXVIII. ,  the  rest  gone.  On 
a  blank  leaf  dark  with  age,  and  written  in  a  bold,  clear  hand,  is 
a  record  of  the  children  of  Henry  ^Dunster,  from  which  I  have 
been  enabled  to  add  to  the  record  in  Dr.  Chaplin's  Life  of  Henry 
Dunster,  pp.   238-9,  three  children,  who  died  in  infancy,  also 


62  HENRY    DUNSTER  AND   HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

9 

(ii)  Benjamin'  Nutting  Fiske  {Walter,^  Gilbert^ 
Dickson,)  was  born  in  Pepperell,  Feb.  29,  1815.  He 
lived  at  Pepperell  till  1837,  and  then  went  to  Boston, 
Here  he  married  July  1,  1846,  Eliza  Pierce  Warren,  of 
that  city,  and  moved  to  Medway,  Maine,  wliere  he  has 
since  resided.  They  have  three  children,  all  living  with 
or  near  them.     No  death  has  occurred  in  this  family. 

(1)  Emily ^  Dickson  Fiske,  b.  at  Medway,  Me.,  m. 
Charles  Moore,  and  has  three  children:  (1)  Rachel® 
Emily.     (2)     Annie.®     (3)     Bertha®  Moore. 

(2)  Theodore^  Varnum  Fiske,  b.  at  Medway,  Me., 
married  Augusta  Hathaway,  and  has  two  children. 

(3)  Henry  ^  Dunster  Fiske,  is  unmarried. 

(iii)  Sarah''  Nutting  Fiske,  born  March  31,  1817. 
After  the  return  of  her  parents  from  Weld,  Maine,  she 
lived  with  her  Aunt  Hannah  Rundle  and  her  sister  Mary 
Ann  (Billings)  until  her  marriage,  at  Boston,  May  4, 
1843,  to  Isaac  Pierce  Blood,  born  at  Hollis,  N.  H.,  Feb. 
17,  1803.  She  lived  at  HolKs  until  her  death,  of  heart 
disease,  April  21,  1865,  aged  48  years  and  20  days. 

They  had  five  children: 

(1)  Harriet®  Maria  Blood,  born  in  Hollis,  July 
17,  1844. 

(2)  George®  Henry  Blood,  born  Jan.  7,  1848. 

(3)  Mary®  Ann  Blood,  born  June  20,  1851. 

(4)  Abbie®  Louisa  Blood,  born  July  7,  1853. 

(5)  Charles®  Walter  Blood,  born  July  13,  1857. 

"Cousin  Hattie,"  to  whom  I  am  indebted  for  the 
above  dates,  says:  "There  is  nothing  particular  to  say 
about  us."     I  will,  however,  add  (says  H.  D.  B.)  that 

other  matter.  This  record  is  undoubtedly  correct.  It  is  believed 
to  be  by  Rev.  S.  Cooke.  The  binding  has  been  repaired  and  in- 
dorsed, "Holy  Bible,  1634,  H.  Dunster."  The  imprint  is: 
London.  Printed  by  Robert  Barker,  Printer  to  the  King's  most 
excellent  Magistie,  and  by  the  Assigns  of  John  Bill,  1684,  (old 
Testament)  1636,  (new  Testament.)  The  title  page  is  surrounded 
by  the  banners  of  the  twelve  tribes  of  Israel  and  of  the  Apostles. 
On  one  page  is  written,  "  Mary  Jonson,  hur  booke."  It  is  a  most 
valuable  antiquity,  and  from  its  association  a  relic  of  rare  merit. 

S.  D. 


THE    FISKE    FAMILY.  63 

9 

the  girls  have  been  well  educated;  Mary  graduating  at 
the  State  Normal  School  in  Framingham,  and  taking  an 
advanced  course.  George  married,  in  Brookline,  N.  H,, 
Harriet  Augusta  Hills,  of  Hollis,  April  8,  1875.  Charles 
learned  the  apothecary  business  at  J.  A.  Sullivan's,  in 
Watertown,  but  is  now  at  home. 

(iv)  Achsah/  daughter  of  Walter  and  Abigail  (Dick- 
son) Fiske,  born  in  Pepperell,  Feb.  8,  1819,  after  her 
removal  from  Pepperell,  lived  with  her  sister  Mary 
Ann  Billings  until  her  marriage,  in  Portland  street, 
Boston,  July  4,  1839,  to  Charles  Bell  Merrill,  a  dry 
goods  merchant,  of  Boston,  She  had  two  children: 
(1)  Charles*  Henry.  (2)  Achsah*  Maria.  She 
died  at  Boston,  Aug.  23,  1842,  when  her  daughter  was 
but  a  week  old.  She  was  23  years  of  age.  Mrs.  Merrill 
Avas  buried  in  Mount  Auburn,  but  was  afterwards  re- 
interred  and  laid  by  the  side  of  her  husband,  in  Chelsea. 
Their  children  were: 

(1)  Charles*  Henry  Fiske.  He  served  in  the 
war,  was  wounded  in  battle,  and  died  in  Washington 
Hospital,  July,  1864.     He  was  unmarried. 

(2)  Achsah*  Maria  Fiske,  mar.  her  second  cousin, 
Jabez  Merrill,  has  two  children  living:  (1)  Grace^ 
Merrill,  died  in  infancy.     (2)     Edith.*     (3)     . 

The  husband  of  Achsah^  (Fiske)  Merrill  married  a 
second  wife,  by  whom  he  had  two  children,  one  dying 
in  infancy,  the  other  when  about  four  years  old. 

(v)  Hannah^  Maria  Fiske,  born  May  5,  1822,  in 
Pepperell,  lived  there  till  seven  years  of  age.  She  then 
lived  with  her  Aunt  Hannah  Rundle  for  four  years. 
Since  her  mother's  removal  from  Pepperell,  she  has 
lived  with  her  sister  Mary  Ann  Billings  [in  Xewton]. 
"To  her  retentive  memory  and  her  sister's  (says  H.  D. 
B.),  this  record  of  their  family  history  is  due." 

(vi)  Henry  ''  Walter  Fiske,  b.  in  Pepperell,  June 
18,  1827,  lived  with  his  father  until  he  was  sixteen,  when 
he  moved  to  Medway,  Me.,  where  he  married  Feb.  15, 
1852,  Harriet  Waite,' by  whom  he  had:  (i)  Abigail* 
DicKSOif  Fiske.  (ii)  Harriet'  Ellen.  After  his 
7 


64  HENRY    DUNSTER   AXD    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

10 

wife's  death,  he  married  at  Dexter,  Me.,  Sarah  EHzabetli 
Green,  of  that  place,  Dec.  31,  18C3.  He  moved  to  Can- 
ada, and  lived  there  until  1867,  when  he  moved  to  Cam- 
bridgeport,  Vt.,  and  soon  after  to  Mattewamkeag,  Me., 
where  he  has  since  lived.  He  has  had:  (iii)  Laura* 
(?)  died  in  infancy.  (iv)  Charles*  Edgar,  by  his 
second  wife. 

10.  ii.  Ma-ry*  DuiiiQT^Yi,  {Ben7-p,^  Jonathan,'^  Hen- 
ry,^)  the  second  child  of  Henry  and  Martha  (Eussell) 
Dnnster,  was  Ijorn  in  Cambridge  July  8,  bap.  at  First 
Church  July  13,  1712.  She  was  admitted  to  full  com- 
munion March  9,  1730-31.  She  married  Amos  Marrett, 
of  Cambridge,  Sept.  21,  1732.  He  was  born  Sept.  5, 
1703,  and  was  the  nefliew  (not  the  son,  as  stated  in  Life 
H.  D.,  p.  239,)  of  Lieut.  Amos  Marrett,  who  married 
Widow  Kuth  Eaton  (Dunster). 

A  manuscript,  entitled,  "A  Brief  Account  or  Gen- 
ealogy of  the  Marrets  Taken  1773,"  is  in  possession  of 
Samuel  Sewell,  Esq.,  a  descendant  of  Mary*  Dunster. 
It  has  been  the  subject  of  some  criticism  by  the  Willard 
Memoir.  It  has  never  been  published,  and  we  copy  it 
entire,  as  well  as  its  accompanying  paper,  "  A  Brief 
Account  of  the  Families  of  Dunsters,  A.  D.  1764." 
This  was  the  next  year  after  the  author  of  both  papers 
(John  Marrett)  graduated  at  Harvard  College.  Both 
papers  were  evidently  made  up  from  tradition,  as  the 
language  shows,  and  some  of  the  errors  in  it,  which  are 
pointed  out  by  Mr.  Willard,  p.  339,  also  occur  in  the 
family  Bible  of  Eev.  Isaiah  Dunster,  which  have  been 
referred  to,  and  it  is  believed  corrected.  The  "  Bale- 
hoult "  Letter,  which  was  probably  in  his  possession  at 
the  time  his  nephew,  J.  Marrett,  made  this  account, 
and  the  public  records  of  their  own  town,  were  evidently 
not  consulted.  They  would  have  corrected  some  of  these 
statements. 

A    SCHEME   OF   THE    DUNSTERS. 

"A  Scheme  of  the  Families  of  the  Dunsters — From 
whom  descended  my  Mother,  Mary  Marrett." 

1st.  "  Henry  Dunster  favoured  with  a  liberal  Educa- 
tion lived  in  Old  England  as  it  appears  by  a  Letter  of 


A    SCHEME    OF   THE    DUNSTERS.  65 

10 

his  (Dated  Balehoiilt  March  20  1640)  to  his  son  Henry 
in  N.  England  at  which  time  it  seems  he  was  an  aged 
Man  living  at  y^  above  ment'ed  Place,  he  had  then  living 
four  sons  and  two  daughters  which  see  in  y"  Scheme." 

(1)  Henry— (2)  Henry,  Thos,  Rich'd,  Robt,  Faith, 
Dorothy. 

(3)  Henry,  Jonathan,  Elizabeth. 

(4)  Henry,  Jonathan,  Thomas,  David,  Elizabeth, 
Dorothy. 

(5)  Isaiah,  Jason,  Martha,  Mary,  Henry,  Abigail. 

"  Henry  Avas  sent  for  to  N.  England  to  take  y"  Charge 
of  the  College  at  Cambridge  upon  him  as  accordingly  he 
did,  and  was  the  1st  President  of  Harvard  Colledge 
which  post  he  Sustained  for  a  Xumber  of  years  till  in- 
clining to  y^  Anabaptist  Persuasion  he  left  y^  College 
and  after  y*  was  ordained  at  Scituate  where  he  finished 
his  Days." 

2d.  Thomas,  Richard  &  Robert  never  came  over  to 
N  England  Their  Posterity  if  they  had  any  Remain  on 
y^  other  Side  of  y^  Atlantick  Faith  and  Dorothy  Came 
over  to  N.  England  after  their  Brother  Henry — Faith 
married  Rice  of  Sudbury  by  whom  she  hath  left  much. 

Issue      Dorothy  married  to  Willard  of  by 

whom  she  hath  left  issue 

3d.  Henry  died  without  Issue  a  Lawyer  in  Old  Eng- 
land Jonathan  lived  in  Cambridge  a  farmer,  had  six 
children  v.  Scheme 

Elizabeth  married  Wade  of  Medford  &  then  Col.° 
Thomas  of  Marshfield  But  left  no  Issue 

4th.  Henry  lived  in  Cambridge  a  farmer  had  six 
children  v.  Scheme 

Jonathan  &  Thomas  died  at  Charlestown  without 
Issue     David's  Issue  are  at  Westminster  or  Xo  2 

Elizabeth  married  to  Philip  Carteret  by  Wm.  she  hath 
Issue  Dorothy  married  Solomon  Page  of  Easthampton 
and  hath  Issue 

Isaiah  (favored  with  a  Liberal  Education)  is  now  an 
Ordained  Minister  at  Harwich  on  Cape  Cod  &  hath  One 
Daughter 

5th.     Henry  a  Farmer  lived   at  Camb.  died  without 


GG  HENRY    DUNSTER  AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

10 

Issue  Jason  lives  at  Camb.  a  Farmer  hath  much  Issue 
[In  a  later  hand]—''  Died  Jan.  1805  JE  80," 

Martha  married  Edw.  Dickson  of  Camb.  hath  Issue 

Mary  married  Amos  Marrett  of  Camb.  by  whom  she 
had  three  sons  &  three  daughters  two  sons  &  one  daugh- 
ter now  living  "  Mary  died  June  29  1795  jE  83  "  [Writ- 
ten in  a  later  hand.] 

Abigail  married  to  James  Cutler  of  Camb.  and  hath 
Issue 

"March  2  1766  she  died  at  Newton  &  buried  at  Lex- 
ington 4'""     [In  a  later  hand.] 

GENEALOGY    OF   THE    MARRETT   FAMILY. 

"A  Brief  Account  or  Genealogy  of  the  Family  of  the 
Marretts     Taken  Anno  1773 

Marrett  is  a  French  name  There  are  now  of  that 
name  in  France  Called  French  Protestants  Family 
probably  sprung  from  Normandy 

But  it  matters  but  little  from  What  Country  yy  origi- 
nated if  yy  are  but  honest  &  good  Men. 

SCHEME   TO    JOHN    MARRETT. 

1st    Thomas  Marrett 

2d     John 

3d  Edward,  Amos,  Thomas,  John,  Hannah,  Susan- 
nah, Abigail,  Lydia,  Mary. 

4th  Amos,  Amos,  John,  Edward,  Hannah,  Susan- 
nah, Abigail,  Mary. 

5th     Amos,  Amos,  John,  Abigail,  Ruth,  Mary. 

1.  Thomas  Marrett  is  supposed  to  have  come  over  to 
N  England  Anno.  1635  about  the  time  y'  Rev.  Mr. 
Shepherd  &  Company  came  and  settled  in  Cambridge 
who  succeeded  the  Rev.  Mr  Hooker  &  Company  in  Cam- 
bridge by  purchase  of  their  Estate  (wn  they  removed  to 
Hartford  in  Connecticut)  "  Rev  Mr  Hooker  &  Co  re- 
moved June  1636"  [In  a  later  hand.]  There  are  records 
in  Cambridge  Town  Book  of  y^  said  Thomas  having  pur- 
chased of  the  town  Anno.  1639.  But  he  lived  in  town 
before  y'  date. 

2.  John  came  from  England  with  his  father  and  set- 
tled in  Cambridge.     Succeded  his  father  in  his  inheri- 


GEXEALO(iY    OF   THE    MARKETT    FAMILY.  07 

10 

tance — liis  name  is  several  times  mentioned  in  Camb, 
Town  Book  for  buying  &  Selling-  Lands  he  appears  to 
have  been  a  farmer  ;ind  of  what  other  occupation  I  can- 
not find  out — he  married  ^Liss  Abigail  Eddes  but  whether 
he  married  her  before  he  came  over  or  after  I  cannot  tell. 

3.  Edward  lived  in  Cambridge  about  half  a  mile 
from  the  College  on  the  Water'town  ro.id  He  was  a 
Glazier  and  Tanner  He  died  Anno  1754  April  11  he 
married  Hannah  Bradish  of  Cambridge.  They  both 
died  in  one  week  (she  on  the  9th)  and  were  both  buried 
at  one  time  in  the  same  grave — both  attended  meeting 
the  preceding  Sabbath.  "He  was  84  &  she  85  years  of 
age — left  much  Issue     See  Scheme 

Amos  was  a  farmer  in  Caml^ridge  and  a  Lieutenant  in 
y^  foot  Company  in  Cambridge  he  married  Bethiah 
Langhorn  of  Cambridge  for  his  first  wife  and  Mrs.  Ruth 
Hays*  a  widow  of  Reading  for  his  second  wife — he  had 
no  "children  but  made  his  nephew  Amos  Marrett  his  heir 
he  died  1739,  aged  81  years 

Thomas  never  Married — was  killed  in  Sudbury  fight 
April  20  1675  with  the  Indians 

John  never  married  he  died  att  Sea 

Hannah  married  Samuel  Hastings  of  Cambridge  wht 
Issue  she  left  or  whether  any  I  cannot  tell 

Susannah  married  Amsdel  of  Camb.  a  glazier 

Abigail  married  Rice  of  Sudbury 

Lydia  died  young- 
Mary  married  Joseph  Hovey  of  Cambridge  by  whom 
she  left  Issue  and  afterwards  she  married  'Z^  Husband 
jSTath.  Parker  of  Xewton 

4.  Amos  the  1st  died  when  about  3  years  old 
Amos  the  2nd  lived  in  Cambridge  possessed  Lieut. 

Amos  Marrett  estate  He  was  a  glazier  and  farmer  by 
occupation  Married  Mary  Dunster  of  Cambridge  by 
whom  he  had  six  children.  See  Scheme.  He  died  1747 
in  the  month  of  November  aged  40  years 

John  died  of  Small  Pox  in  Boston  when  about  18 
years  old 

*■  See  ante  "  Jonathan  Dunstei:"     [S.  D.l 
*7 


68  HENRY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

10 

Edward  lives  in  Ciimbridge  a  Taylor  by  trade  or  a 
Merchant  Tailor.  He  was  made  Capt.  of  the  foot  Com- 
pany in  Cambridge.  Afterwards  the  company  was  divi- 
ded and  on  a  special  Occasion  had  an  independent  Cap- 
tain's commission  over  both  Companies.  Soon  afterwards 
laid  down  his  commission.  He  married  for  1st  wife 
Mary  Wyatt  of  Boston  by  whom  he  had  5  children  but 
one  now  living  viz  Thomas.  Capt,  Edward  Marrett 
died  Sept.  13  1780  aged  67. 

[Memo,  in  a  later  handj — Capt  Edward  Marretts  1^' 
Avife  died  Dec  1787.  His  2°  wife  was  Susannah  Foster  a 
widow  of  Boston  now  living.  Deacon  Thomas  Marrett 
died  at  Cambridge  June  23  1784  ^E  43  years 

Hannah  married  to  Joseph  Lawrence  of  Cambridge, 
Gunsmith,  (afterwards  removed  into  Connecticut  Col- 
ony) by  whom  she  hath  Issue 

Susannah  married  to  John  Pierce  of  Boston  a  carpen- 
ter, afterwards  he  removed  to  Stowe  where  he  purchased 
a  good  farm.  He  hath  been  dead  some  years  and  his 
widow  is  again  married  to  Samuel  Witt  of  Marlboro,  a 
farmer,  &  for  a  great  number  of  years  a  representative  to 
the  General  Court  for  y'  town  She  and  her  2°  liusbaud 
both  living  She  never  luid  any  children  [Mrs.  Wit 
died  Dec,  1794,  aged  90  years.] 

Abigail  married  Judali  Monis  of  Cambridge  Hebrew 
Processor  at  Harvard  College.  They  are  both  dead  and 
died  without  Issue 

Mary  married  John  Martyn  of  Boston  afterwards  a 
settled  minister  at  Norchboro,  in  the  county  of  Worces- 
ter by  whom  she  hath  much  issue  He  is  dead.  She 
lives  yet  at  Northboro  [In  a  later  handj — "  She  is  dead." 

5.     Amos  y^  first  died  in  infancy. 

Amos  y^  2*^  lived  at  Cambridge  about  a  mile  from  the 
College  married  Abigail  Tidd  of  of  Lexington  afterwards 
sold  att  Cambridge  to  one  Capt  liuggles  &  bot  att  Lex- 
ington where  he  now  lives  he  hath  four  cliildren  viz 
Amos,  Daniel,  Abigail  and  Ruth  (&  since  John,  Thomas 
&  Betsey)  John  favored  with  a  Liberal  Education  was 
Gi'aduated  at  Harvard  College  Anno  1703  is  a  Preaclier 
But  unsettled  in  the  ministry  as  yet  He  lives  at  Xewton 
has  his  home  at  Mr.  John  Pidgeons     [In  a  later  hand]  — 


THE   MARRETT   TAMILY.  60 

10 

'•'  1774  Dec  21  Jolm  was   ordained    Pastor   of    the  2'^ 
Parish  in  Woburn." 

Abigail  died  in  infancy.  Ruth  never  was  married. 
She  died  at  Newton  May  2  176G  and  was  buried  att  Lex- 
ington aged  31  years  Mary  died  att  Cambridge  in  the 
tifteeuth  year  of  her  age  Anno  1754  of  a  consumption 

Acct.  taken  June  1  1773 
Thomas  Marrett  who  is  favoured  with  a  Liberal  edu- 
cation and  was  graduated  at  Harvard  College  1761  now 
lives  at  Cape  Ann  a  trader  and  is  Deacon  of  the  3'''^ 
Church  in  Glocester 

X.  B.  There  are  but  six  of  y"  name  of  Marrett  in 
the  male  line  of  the  aforesaid  family  now  living  in  these 
parts  viz  Capt  Edward  Marrett  of  Cambridge  and  his  son 
Thomas  of  Cape  Ann  and  Amos  Marrett  of  Lexington 
and  his  two  sons  &  his  brother  John  four  females  of  y^ 
name  viz  Capt  Marrett  wife  Amos  Marretts  wife  &  their 
two  daughters. 

June  1  1773."     [End  of  MS.     S.  D.] 

This  list  is  not  made  out  in  the  order  of  birth,  but 
like  official  papers  of  that  day,  the  males  are  named  first, 
and  after  them  the  females,  according  to  age.  The  ac- 
count is  generally  correct,  and  far  more  reliable  than  the 
"  Scheme  "  of  the  Dunsters.  The  children  of  Amos  and 
Mary*  (Dunster)  Marrett  are  rearranged  to  corres- 
pond with  the  plan  adopted  in  other  families,  and  such 
further  notice  of  them  made  as  is  necessary  and  attain- 
able. 

Amos  Marrett,  husband  of  Mary*  Dunster,  died  in 
Cambridge,  Nov.,  1747,  aged  46  years,  leaving  her  a 
widow  with  four  children,  the  eldest  12,  and  youngest 
6  years  old.  These  she  cared  for  with  great  ability,  giv- 
ing her  youngest,  John,^  a  college  education.  In  a  few 
years,  both  her  daughters  died,  her  oldest  son  was  mar- 
ried, and  her  youngest  unsettled  in  the  ministry.  It  is 
not  strange  that  she  was  melancholy  and  dejected.  She 
avoided  association  with  others,  prefering  the  then  soli- 
tary habitation  of  her  brother,  who  had  just  settled  on 
the  borders  of  the  Avilderncss,  to  the  more  social  comforts 
to  be  had  in  the  neighborhood  of  her  birth,  still  she  was 


TO  HEJSrilY    DUNSTER   AXD   HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

10 

not  forgotten  by  her  sons,  as  letters  show.  She  lived 
a  widow  almost  half  a  century;  and  the  traditions  of 
•'Aunt  Mary"  are  still  fresh  in  memory.  She  died  at 
her  brother's,  Jason  Dunster,  in  Mason,  ]^.  H.,  June 
29,  1795,  aged  83  years,  and  was  the  first,  we  think,  to 
occupy  the  Dunster  group  in  the  cemetery  at  Mason 
Centre.  For  near  eighty  years  her  grave  was  unmarked, 
when  a  plain  stone  was  erected  at  it  with  this  inscription: 

•'Mary  Dunster,  widow  of  Amos  Marrett,  born  at 
Cambridge  July  8,  1712.  Died  at  Mason  June  29,  1795, 
aged  S3  years.     Ex  dono  S.  Dunster,  1873." 

The  six  children  of  Amos  and  Mary  (Dunster)  Mar- 
rett were: 

i.     Amos^  Marrett,  b.  ,  died  in  infancy. 

ii.    Abigail^  Marrett,  b.  Aug.  25,  1733,  died  young. 

iii.  RuTH^  Marrett,  b.  April  30,  1735.  She  died  in 
Newton,  May  2,  1766,  and  was  buried  at  Lexington  on 
the  4th.     Unmarried. 

iv.  Amos^  Marrett,  b.  Feb.  4,  1738,  mar.  Abigail 
Tidd,  of  Lexington. 

V.  Mary^  Marrett,  born  Aug.  20,  1740,  died  1754, 
aged  14. 

vi.  JoHN^  Marrett,  born  Sept.  10,  1741,  (H.  C, 
1763,)  married  Martha  Jones. 

iv.  Amos^  Marrett,  born  Feb.  4,  1738,  mar.  Dec. 
14,  1760,  Abigail  Tidd,  born  Jan.  12,  1738,  daughter  of 
Daniel  and  Hepzibah  (Reed)  Tidd.  He  married  as  of 
Cambridge,  where  he  probably  resided  some  five  or  six 
years  after  his  marriage,  when  he  moved  to  Lexington. 
They  were  admitted  to  the  Lexington  Church  Sept.  15, 
1771,  from  the  First  Church  in  Cambridge.  He  died 
March  24,  (28th,  /.  M.  Diary,)  1805,  aged  66.  He  was 
a  soldier  in  Capt.  Parker's  company  in  1775,  and  was  in 
the  Jerseys  three  months  the  year  following.  He  was 
selectman  for  Lexington,  1785-86-89  and  91.  {Hist. 
Lex.  Gen.,  ]3.  130.)  Li  July,  1776,  he  and  his  tAvo  sons 
and  eighteen  others  were  innoculated  for  small-pox  at 
his  own  house.     {Rev.  J.  MarreWs  J)iary.) 

His  children  by  Abigail  Tidd  were: 


THE    MARIIETT   FAMILY.  •  71 

10 

1.  Amos,*^  born  in  Cambridge,  Oct.  4,  1703,  married 
Nov.  28,  1780,  Patty  Eeed. 

2.  Abigail,^  born  in  Cambridge,  June  4,  17G5,  mar. 
Oct.  6,  1788,  Jonathan  Smith. 

3.  Daniel,®  born  in  Cambridge,  July  18,  17G7,  mar. 
July  24,  1796,  Mary  Muzzy. 

4.  RUTH,«  born  Nov.  12,  1768,  died  1775,  buried 
Oct.  13.     {Rev.  John  Marrett's  Diary.) 

5.  Betsey,®  bap.  Nov.  28,  1773,  died  Nov.  3,  buried 
■7th,  1797,  aged  24. 

6.  John,®  baptized  July  9,  1775,  died  Dec.  17,  1797, 
aged  22^. 

7.  Thomas,®  baptized  July  20,  1777,  died  July  6, 
1798,  a  student  of  Harvard  College. 

1.  Amos®  Marrett,  b.  in  Cambridge,  Oct.  4,  1763, 
mar.  Nov.  or  Dec.  28,  1786,  Patty  Reed,  born  Dec.  5, 
1765,  daughter  of  Hammon  and  Betty  (Simonds)  Reed. 
He  was  in  the  battle  at  Lexington,  April  19,  1775.  He 
died  Nov.  10,  1824,  aged  61.  She  died  Oct.  16,  1849, 
aged  85.     They  had  nine  children : 

(1)  Patty,'  born  Sept.  9,  1787,  mar.  Jonas  Cutler. 

(2)  Sally,'  born  Oct.  1,  1789,  mar.  June  15,  1823, 
Benjamin  Locke,  Jr. 

(3)  Hannah,'  born  Dec.  24,  1792. 

(4)  Nabby,'  b.  Aug.  18,  1795,  d.  Apr.  6,  1854,  unm. 

(5)  Betsey,'  born  July  4,  1798,  mar.  April  30,  1826, 
Amos  Towne. 

(6)  Mary,'  born  March  18,  1801,  m.  April  1,  1827, 
Joel  Adams. 

(7)  John,'  born  Oct.  17,  1803,  died  1858,  unmarried. 

(8)  Emily,'  born  Dec.  26,  1806,  mar.  King  George, 
Nov.  17,  1830.  (This  was  not  the  King  George  of  whom 
it  was  said  if  he  had  not  been  a  King  he  would  have 
made  an  excellent  tailor.) 

(9)  Harriet,'  born  Sept.  13,  1809,  mar.  April  22, 
1842,  Ivory  Sanborn.  They  have  had  several  children. 
Of  the  families  of  these  nine  children  we  have  no  further 
record  in  Hist.  Lexington,  but  they  are  noticed  further  on. 

2.  AbiOtAIL®  Marrett,  daughter  of  Amos  and  Abi- 
gail (Tidd)   Marrett,  was  born  in  Cambridge,  June  4, 


72  HENRY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

10 

1765,  married  Oct.  6,  1788,  Jonathan  Smith,  his  second 
wife.  She  died  at  Lexington,  March  30,  1794,  was 
buried  April  5.     She  had  one  child: 

(i)  Harriet^  Smith,  born  Jan.  6,  1791,  married 
Jan.  1,  1823,  Imla  Parker,  born  Sept.  4,  1791.  He 
was  the  son  of  Imla  and  Hannah  (Ames)  Parker,  of 
Groton,  and  died  March  20,  183G?  aged  44  years.  Their 
only  child,  named  Abigail®  Marrett  Parker,  after  her 
great  grandmother,  was  born  Aug.  20,  1824,  not  1827, 
as  her  mother's  Bible  has  it — {ivroiig,  said  Mrs.  P.)  She 
was  a  school  teacher  in  the  primary  school,  Lane  Place, 
Fort  Hill,  Boston,  for  fifteen  years.  She  died  in  Bos- 
ton, Ang.  11,  1863,  aged  39  years,  unmarried.  She  was 
placed  in  the  Parker  family  tomb,  in  Groton,  Mass. 

In  1873  Mrs.  Imla  Parker  was  visited  at  her  residence, 
No.  2015  Washington  street,  Boston  Highlands.  She 
was  found  an  amiable  and  benignant  lady,  who,  though 
82  years  old,  had  a  wonderful  memory,  and  stated  many 
facts  of  her  relatives,  which,  it  is  believed,  exist  in  no 
record,  and  hardly  in  any  memory  but  hers.  Among 
her  few  papers  she  had  kept  a  Eulogy  on  her  mother's 
death,  which  she  permitted  to  be  copied: 

"Died  in  Lexington,  on  30th  of  March,  1794,  Abigail 
Marret,  wife  of  Jonathan  Smith,  aged  29  years.  Being 
of  a  placid  and  even  temper  she  was  ever  easy  and  con- 
tent. Delighted  with  industry  she  was  always  busily 
employed.  Fond  of  peace  she  gave  no  provocation. 
Averse  to  contention  she  received  in  silence  the  provo- 
cation of  others.  Kind  and  tender  she  worthily  sus- 
tained the  relations  of  a  wife  and  parent.  Amiable 
in  disposition  she  was  beloved  by  all  her  acquaintance. 
Patient  under  affliction  she  uttered  not  a  complaint,  or 
expressed  the  least  discomposure  of  spirits  during  the 
course  of  a  lingering,  and  the  latter  part  of  the  time  a 
very  painful  disease;  and  pious  in  life,  her  death  was  in 
the  greatest  composure  of  mind,  and  'tis  presumed, 
glorious  and  happy." 

From  her  lips  we  learned  that  besides 

(i)     Harriet^ — Abigail  (Marret)  Smith  had: 


THE    MARRETT    FAMILY.  73 

10 

(ii)    Cyrus,'  )  Twins,  born  Oct.   20,  1792,   (not 

(iii)  Augustus/   j"  Dec.  20,  as  in  Hist.  Lex.,  p.  225.) 

(ii)    Cyrus'  Smith,  born  Oct.   20,  1792,  mar.  May, 

1825,  Mary  Porter,  daughter  of  Noah  and  Mary  (Miller) 

Porter,  of  Boston,  Avhere  they  had  two  children: 

(1)  Cyrus*  Augustus  Smith,  born  July,  1826.  He 
went  to  sea  when  about  fifteen  years  old,  which  business 
he  continued  till  about  1868;  was  mate  part  of  the  time. 
He  now,  says  Mrs.  P.,  lives  with  his  step-mother,  at 
Marlborough,  in  feeble  health,  and  unmarried. 

(2)  Thomas®  Jeffersox  Smith,  born  at  Boston, 
about  1829,  Avas  educated  for  a  physician;  went  into  the 
army  as  a  soldier;  was  under  Gen.  Butler;  was  wounded 
in  the  battle  at ,  and  died  (probably)  in  hos- 
pital.    He  was  unmarried. 

(iii)  Augustus'  Smith,  the  other  twin,  born  Oct. 
20,  1792,  was  found  drowned  in  a  watering  trough,  in 
Lexington,  in  the  year  1839.     He  was  not  married. 

Mrs.  Parker  gave  other  information  of  the  children  of 
Amos®  and  Patty  (Reed)  Marrett,  which  we  add  to  the 
list  as  numbered  above. 

P.  S.  Mrs.  Imla  Parker  died  at  her  home,  April  15, 
1876,  aged  85  years,  3  months  and  18  days.  (?)  She  was 
entombed  at  Gfroton,  beside  her  husband  and  daughter, 
She  lived  a  widow  forty  years. 

(1)  Patty'  Marrett,  born  at  Lexington,  Sept.  9, 
1787,  mar.  1811,  Jonas  Cutler,  son  of  Thomas  Cutler,  of 
Lexington,  born  March  3,  1782.  They  bought  a  farm 
in  Westminster,  Mass.,  where  he  died  Jan.'  29,  1830, 
aged  48.     She  died  Xov.  20,  1852. 

They  had  three  children: 

(1)  JoxAS®  Cutler,  born  at  Lexington,  Xov.  15, 
1811,  mar.  at  Leominster,  April  30,  1855,  Martha  M. 
Hager,  daughter  of  Elijah  Hager.  They  live  on  the  old 
place  bought  by  his  father.     Have  no  children. 

(2)  Amos®  Marrett  Cutler,  born  at  Westminster, 
July  13,  1816,  mar.-«t  Fitchburg,  Mary  Barnes,  of  West- 
minster. Reside  at  Westminster.  Keeps  a  livery  stable. 
Have  two  children: 


74  HENRY    DUNSTER  AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

10 

(i)     Abbt'  Maria  Cutler,  married  Marcus  Miller, 
(ii)    Mart^  Ardelia,  married  George  Brooks. 

(3)  Martha®  Cutler,  born  at  Westminster,  Feb.  28, 
1814,  mar.  at  Fitchburg,  Jan.  10,  1854,  Sanford  Sawyer, 
son  of  Amos  Sawyer.  Is  a  carriage  maker.  Have  had 
three  children: 

(i)  Emily ^  Sawyer,  died  young,  (ii)  Oliver^ 
Sawyer,  d.  young,     (iii)     Frank ^  Marrett  Sawyer. 

(2)  Sally ^  Marrett,  married  Benjamin  Locke,  Jr., 
June  15,  1823.     Had  three  children: 

(i)  Elizabeth^  Locke,  born  Feb.,  1824,  married 
Jeduthan  Richardson,  of  Woburu,  now  living  in  East 
Boston,  and  has  three  children,  all  living. 

(ii)  Benjamin*  Franklin  Locke,  born  1826?  mar. 
Eliza  Hill,  of  Arlington,  have,  one  daughter,  Louisa® 
Locke,  lives  in  Arlington. 

(iii)  Albert*  Locke,  born  1828?  mar.  about  1869, 
Mina  Hill,  sister  to  his  brother  B.  Franklin  Locke's 
wife.  He  (Albert*)  went  to  South  America.  Mrs.  P. 
being  asked  to  what  part,  could  not  remember,  but  said, 
''where  the  earthquakes  are." 

(3)  Hannah'  Marrett,  born  Dec.  24,  1792,  died 
in  Lexington,  1823?  twenty-five  years  old,  unmarried. 

(4)  Abigail'  (Xabby),  born  Aug.  18,  1795,  died 
April  6,  1854,  unmarried. 

(5)  Betsey,'  mar.  Amos  Towne,  of  Woburn,  April 
30,  1826.     Two  children: 

(i)  Elizabeth  *  Towne,  mar.  a  Bruce,  and  lives  at 
Fitchburg,  a  carpenter,  and  has  three  children, 

(ii)     Harriet*  Towne,  born ,  married  Thomas 

Simonds,  who  is  in  the  shoe  business  at  Reading.  Have 
three  children,  Alice,' ,  . 

(6)  Mary,'  born  March  18,  1801,  mar.  Joel  Adams, 
of  Shirley,  Mass.  Have  three  children,  John,*  Mary 
Ann,*  and  Albert*  Adams. 

(7)  John,'  born  Oct.  17,  1803,  died  1858,  unmarried. 

(8)  Emily,'  born  Dec.  26,  1806,  mar.  King  George, 
of  Sanbornton,  X.  H.,  and  has  two  children: 


THE    MARRETT    FAMILY.  75 

10 

(i)     Elias®  George,     (ii)     Martha*  George,  mar. 
Baxter,  and  lives  at  Lakeville. 

[Tliere  was  a  Mr.  George,  Methodist  minister,  preach- 
ed at  Springvale,  Me.,  in  1836.] 

(9)  Harriet,'  born  Sept.  13,  1809,  mar.  Ivory  San- 
born.    Have  had  six  children: 

(i)     Louisa,*  born ,  died  young. 

(ii)   George*  Sanborn,  mar.  Ada ,  of  Waltham. 

He  is  a  watchmaker  at  Waltham. 

Siv]    Lyman  *  b  —  [  ^°^^^  ^"^^^  ^^^^^  ^^^  °^  dysentery. 
(v)     Ellen*' Mariah,  )  rp    • 
(vi)    Emma*  Malinda,  f  -^^"^^• 

Ellen  died  when  about  3  months  old. 
Emma  married  Charles  Swan,  of  Reading,  about  1826. 
Have  no  children. 

3.  Daniel^  Marrett,  {Amos,^  Amos  and  Mary^  D., 
Heni'ij,^  Jonathav,'^  Heiiry,^)  the  third  child  of  Amos 
and  Mary  (Tidd)  Marrett,  was  born  in  Cambridge,  Julv 
18,  1767,  and  married  first,  July  24,  {Feb.  24,  Hisf.  Lex) 
1796,  Mary  Muzzy,  daughter  of  Wm.  and  Lydia  (Reed) 
Muzzy,  of  Charlestown,  born  Jan.  2,  bap.  Jan.  7,  1770. 
He  graduated  at  Harvard  College,  1790,  and  was  class- 
mate of  Hon.  Josiah  Quincy  and  Gov.  Crafts,  of  Ver- 
mont. From  his  class  of  forty-two  there  were  five  mem- 
bers of  Congress  and  two  judges.  He  studied  theology 
with  Dr.  Stearns,,  of  Bedford,  Mass.,  and  was  ordained 
pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  in  Standish,  Maine, 
Sept.  21,  1796,  and  continued  to  hold  that  relation  for 
more  than  thirty- three  years,  resigning  in  Dec,  1829. 
In  addition  to  his  ministerial  duties,  he  engaged  in  horti- 
culture extensively.  He  had  a  large  orchard  of  the  finest 
fruit  in  the  State,  and  was  the^  first  to  introduce  grafted 
fruit;  and  owned  the  first  covered  carriage  in  that  neigh- 
borhood.    By  Mary  Muzzy  he  had  six  children: 

i.  Daniel'  Marrett,  born  July  15,  1797,  Saturday 
afternoon,  at  three  o'clock.  He  married  Jan.  26,  1825, 
Abigail  March,  daughter  of  Col.  James  March,  of  Gor- 


76  HEXRY    DUXSTER   AND    HIS    DESCEXDAXTS. 

10 

ham.  She  died  March  15,  1856.  He  was  a  merchant, 
resided  in  Portland,  and  died  Dec.  3,  18T5.  Both  buried 
in  Westbrook.     Three  children : 

1.  Edwin  ^  Augustus  Marrett,  born  March  12, 
1826,  mar.  Mary  Louisa  Xelson,  daughter  of  Samuel 
Nelson.  He  is  a  merchant  in  Portland.  They  are  Uni- 
tarians.    Have  no  children. 

2.  James ^  Sullivan  Marrett,  {Daniel,'^  Daniel,^ 
Amos,^  Amos  and  3Iary^  D.,  Henry, ^  Jonathan,'^  Henry, ^) 
born  May  30,  1827,  married  Sarah  Jennie  (?)  Gorham, 
daughter  of  Hon.  Jason  Gorham,  of  Barre,  Mass.  Re- 
sides in  Portland,  is  a  merchant  and  carpet  manufactu- 
rer. "Never  held  any  political  office."  "  Was  council- 
man several  years."  "  Did  nothing  towards  the  late  war 
but  to  pay  money."     {Letter.)     They  have  two  children: 

(i)     Elizabeth^  March  Marrett,  b.  Aug.  10,  1856. 
(ii)    Charles^  Gorham  Marrett,  b.  Eeb.  23,  1861. 

3.  Orlando®  Melville  Marrett,  born  May  19, 
1829,  married  Dec.  4,  1851,  Louisa  Small,  daughter  of 
Francis  Small,  of  Windham.  He  was  a  merchant  ship 
chandler,  and  engaged  in  navigation.  He  w^as  Orthodox 
(Congregational)  in  religion.  Filled  several  offices  of 
local  importance;  was  President  of  the  City  Council. 
For  many  years  President  of  the  Mercantile  Library 
Association,  and  Vice  President  of  Board  of  Trade.  He 
died  Jan.  9',  1870.     Had  one  child: 

(i)  James ^  E.  Marrett,  born  April  7,  1854,  now 
living  in  Portland. 

ii.  JoHN^  Marrett,  b.  Feb.  1, 1799,  Friday  morning, 
at  10  o'clock,  died  May  3,  1821,  at  Standish,  Me.    Unm. 

iii.     Amos'  Marrett,  born  Nov.  27,  1800,  Thursday 
afternoon,  at  3  o'clock.  Thanksgiving  Day,  mar.  April 
12,   1826,  Mary  S.    Strothers,   of  Bridgeton,   Me.,  .and- 
died  a  few  weeks  after  at  Bridgeton,  Me.     No  children. 

iv.  Caroline'  Marrett,  born  July  3,  1802.  12^  A. 
M.,  Saturday,  d.  Dec.  27,  1817,  aged  15  y.,  5  mo.,  24  d. 

V.  William'  Marrett,  {Daniel,^ Amos,^ Mary^ Dun- 
ster,)  born  Sept.  5,  1804,  Wednesday,  at  2^  o'clock,  P. 
M.     He  took  his  medical  degree  at  Bowdoin  College  in 


THE    MARRETT   FAMILY.  77 

10 

1830,  and  settled  as  a  physician  in  Westbrook,  Maine. 
He  was  for  many  years  a  deacon  of  the  Congregational 
Church  at  Saccarappa  Village.  He  married  Adaline 
Irish,  daughter  of  Gen.  James  Irish,  of  Gorham,  Me., 
and  died  in  1860  at  Westbrook.     One  child: 

(i)  Mary^  Muzzy  Marrett,  born  Sept.  22,  1834, 
married  Fabius  M.  Ray,  a  lawyer  in  Portland.  He  is 
Treasurer  of  a  Savings  Bank  at  Saccarappa.  Resides  in 
Westbrook.     Has  two  children,  Addie  and  Willie. 

vi.  Mary  Axx^  Marrett,  born  Feb.  1,  1808,  Mon- 
day, U  P.  M.  She  mar.  June  2,  1833,  Wan-en  Duren, 
of  Woburn,  Mass.  She  died  Oct.  4,  1839,  aged  31  years, 
0  months  and  4  days,  and  was  buried  at  Woburn.  She 
left  one  child: 

(i)  Caroline®  Augusta  DuREJf,  born  Oct.  25, 
1835,  and  died  May  13,  1852,  aged  17  years,  unmarried. 

Mr.  Duren  moved  to  Lexington,  where  he  has  been 
several  times  in  town  office.  He  married  2d  Oct.,  1848, 
Mary  Chandler.     He  carries  on  the  shoe  business. 

Mary  (Muzzy)  Marrett,  first  wife  of  Daniel®  Mar- 
rett, died  March  6,  1810,  aged  40  y.,  2  mo.,  4  d.,  and 
was  buried  at  Standish,  leaving  all  her  six  children  living. 

Rev.  Daxiel®  Marrett,  married  second  wife,  Oct.  8, 
1810,  Dorcas  Hastings,  born  at  Lexington,  June  27, 
1785  or  6,  daughter  of  Maj.  Samuel  and  Lydia  (Xelson) 
Hastings.  Maj.  Hastings  was  taken  prisoner  with  Gen. 
Lee  on  Long  Island.  At  the  time  of  his  capture  a 
British  officer  wounded  him  with  a  sword  in  the  neck, 
but  his  "queue"  broke  the  force  of  the  blow  and  saved 
his  life.  By  her  he  had  eight  children  more,  making 
fourteen. 

vii.  Leaxder'  (first  child  of  Dorcas)  Marrett,  born 
Sept.  16,  1811,  Monday,  at  7  A.  M.,  died  July  13,  1814, 
aged  2  years  and  4  months? 

viii.  LoREXzo '  Marrett  {Daniel,^  Amos,^  Amos  and 
JIary*  Dunster,  Henni,^  Jonathan,'^  Henry,'^)  was  born 
at  Standish,  March  18,'  1816,  Monday,  at  b\  P.  M.  We 
graduated  at  Bowdoin  College,  Maine,  Sept.  1838;  was 


78  HENEY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

10 

tutor  in  Jackson  College,  Columbia,  Tenn. ;  studied  law 
at  Dane  Law  School,  Harvard  University,  and  with 
Nathan  Dane  Appleton,  Alfred,  Maine;  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  in  Cumberland  Co.,  ]\[e.,  1842;  settled  in  Cam- 
bridge, 1843,  Avhere  he  now  resides.  To  him  we  are  in- 
debted for  most  of  the  records  of  his  father's  (DanieP) 
family.  He  writes:  "I  think  I  am  the  only  direct 
descendant  in  Cambridge  of  Thomas  Marrett,  who  set- 
tled in  Cambridge,  1630."  He  has  some  interesting 
relics  of  the  Marrett  family,  among  which  is  a  copy  of 
the  "  Spectator,"  having  the  autograph  of  all  his  ances- 
tors, from  Thomas  down.  He  married  Eliza  Anthony 
Winsor,  of  Pawtucket,  E.  I.,  Aug.  14,  1845.  She  died 
Feb.  25,  1876.     No  children. 

ix.  Isabella'  Annette  Marrett,  born  July  20, 
1817,  on  Sunday,  at  6  o'clock,  died  March  4,  1818,  aged 
7  months  and  7  days. 

X.  Avery'  Williams  Marrett,  born  Jan.  19,  1819, 
on  Tuesday,  at  5  P.  M.,  mar.  Nov.  25,  1847,  Elizabeth 
Bancroft  Weston,  daughter  of  Rev.  James  and  Sarah 
(Chase)  Weston,  born  Jan.  5,  1820,  in  Augusta,  Me. 
He  is  a  farmer,  and  lives  on  the  old  place.  Seven  chil- 
dren : 

1.  Helen®  Mariah  Marrett,  born  Jan.  20,  1849, 
graduated  at  Tilden  Female  Seminary,  class  1869,  West 
Lebanon,  N.  H.,  and  is  now  preceptoress  of  Gorham 
Seminary,  Maine.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Orthodox 
Congregational  Church  in  Standish. 

2.  Walter®  Hastings  Marrett,  b.  Oct.  28,  1850. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  senior  class,  1876,  Bowdoin  Col- 
lege, and  a  member  of  the  Congregational  Church  in 
Standish. 

A  GEADUATE'S  BIG  WALK. 

Summit  House,  Mt.  Washington,  N.  H.,  Aug.  25. 
— Mr.  Marratt,  graduate  of  Bowdoin  College,  who  took 
a  prize  at  Saratoga  this  summer,  walked  from  the  top  of 
this  mountain  to  Portland  yesterday.  The  distance  is 
90  miles. — N.  Y.  Tribune. 

The  prize  at  Saratoga  was  a  very  handsomely  engraved 
medal.     He  had  previously  taken  a  number  of  silver 


THE    MAR  RETT    FAMILY.  79 

10 

vases,  cups  and  goblets  at  College  field  days.  Always 
won  them  easily.  The  best  time  in  walking  he  ever 
made  was  half  a  mile  in  3  minutes,  27  seconds.  "  Have 
now  given  up  -walking  altogether,  and  am  giving  my 
whole  attention  to  teaching"  at  Yarmouth,  Me.  One 
of  his  sisters  is  his  assistant. 

3.     Mary*  Elizabeth,  born  Feb.  21,  1852. 
■i.     Carrie®  Louisa,  born  Dec.  26,  1855. 

5.  Hexry®  Westox,  born  April  19,  1857. 

6.  Charles®  Xelsox,  born  Feb.  4,  1860,  died  July 
12,  1872,  aged  12  vears,  buried  at  Standish. 

7.  Faxxie®  Sarah,  born  Oct.  10,  1865. 

xi.     Daxe'  Appletox  Marrett,      ]^  T^-in- 
xii.    Samuel"  Hastix'gs  Marrett,  f  *" 

Dane  Appleton,  born  at  3  o'clock,  A.  M,,  and  Samuel 
Hastings  at  noon,  on  Saturday,  Jan.  12,  1822. 

xi.  Daxe^  Appletox  Marrett,  married  EHza  Ann 
Locke,  of  Lancaster,  Mass.,  June  7,  1848,  lives  at  Chel- 
sea, Mass.     Three  children: 

1.  Samuel®  Hastixgs,  b.  Aug.  10,  1850,  d.  young. 

2.  Daxe®  Appletox,  born  July  1,  1855. 

3.  Augustus,®  born ,  1858. 

xii.  Samuel''  Hastixgs  married  Francis  A.  Locke, 
of  Lancaster,  Mass.,  June  7,  1848. 

Twin  brothers  married  twin  sisters  at  the  same  time. 

Samuel"  Hastings  and  Frances  A.  (Locke)  Marrett 
had  Frances®  Hastings,  born  Aug.  27,  1849.  She  died 
an  infant. 

Samuel^  Hastings  Marrett  died  May  22,  1850,  aged  28 
years,  4  months  and  10  days. 

xiii.  Helex'  Maria,  born  Julv  3,  1823,  at  4  o'clock, 
P.  M.  She  died  March  15,  1846, 'aged  23  years,  7  mo., 
22  days,  unmarried,  and  was  buried  at  Standish. 

xiv.  Fraxcis'  Grexville  Marrett,  born  Sept.  8, 
1826,  on  Friday,  at  6  o'clock,  P.  M.  He  was  an  organ 
builder,  at  Detroit,  Michigan,  died  at  Cambridge,  Mass., 
unmarried,  and  was  buried  at  Standish,  Maine. 


80  HENRY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

10 

Rev.  Daniel*'  Marrett  died  at  Standish,  Maine,  April 
14,  1836,  aged  68  y.,  8  mo.,  26  d.,  and  was  buried  there. 

Dorcas  (Hastings)  Marrett,  second  wife  of  Kev.  Dan- 
iel Marrett,  was  a  member  of  the  Congregational  Church, 
and  died  Aug.  6,  1857,  at  Standish,  aged  72  years,  1 
month,  9  days,  and  was  buried  beside  her  husband  and 
his  first  wife,  Mary  (Muzzy)  Marrett. 

vi.  JoHN^  Marrett,  {Amos  and  Mary^  {Dtmster), 
Henry,^  Jonathan,"^  Henry,^)  was  the  sixth  and  youngest 
child  of  Amos  and  Mary*  (Dunster)  Marrett,  and  was 
born  in  Cambridge,  Sept.  10,  1741,  0.  S.,  Sept.  21,  N.  S. 
He  was  probably  baptized  in  the  First  Church  of  Cam- 
bridge, of  which  his  mother,  before  her  marriage,  was  a 
member  in  full  communion.  His  father  died  Nov., 
1747,  when  he  was  six  years  old,  and  left  his  mother  to 
watch  over  and  educate  her  four  children.  What  prop- 
erty was  left  for  that  purpose  is  not  now  apparent,  but 
from  the  fact  that  her  daughter,  Ruth,  died  in  Newton 
and  was  buried  in  Lexington,  and  that  her  youngest  son 
often  refers  to  Newton  as  a  residence,  it  would  seem  that 
she  parted  with  the  home  residence  given  her  husband 
by  his  uncle,  and  lived  in  Newton,  or  elsewhere. 

His  education  was  not  neglected.  He  entered  Har- 
vard College  1759,  when  eighteen  years  old,  and  gradua- 
ted 1763,  in  the  class  with  Timothy  Pickering.  Of  his 
early  religious  experience  no  facts  have  reached  us. 
After  graduation  he  seems  to  have  resided  with  his 
mother  in  Cambridge,  and  have  had  an  oversight  of  the 
farm.  He  kept  a  Diary,  which  is  now  the  property  of 
his  grand-son,  Samuel  Sewall,  of  Burlington,  Mass.  It 
commenced  with  the  year  1767,  and  is,  excepting  1768, 
which  is  missing,  attached  to  the  Almanac  of  each  year. 

We  have  been  kindly  permitted  by  Mr.  Sewall  to  ex- 
amine it,  and  have  copied  a  few  items  illustrating  his 
life,  and  regret  that  our  limits  compel  us  to  omit  many 
very  interesting  ones. 

He  seems  to  have  studied  Divinity  at  Harvard,  and 
was,  in  1767,  apparently,  a  member  of  the  "Ministers' 
Meeting."  These  meetings  were  held  at  each  minister's 
residence,  alternately.     The  one  for  May  of  that  year  is 


KEY.    JOHN    MARRETT'S    DIARY,  81 

10 

entered  "  May  5  Ministers  meeting  to  be  here."  He  has 
also  in  the  calender  marked  the  Sabbaths  on  which  the 
Sacrament  was  held. 

The  Diary  for  17G9  is  dated  Cambridge.  They  all 
give  notes  of  the  weather,  his  jonrneys,  places  of  preach- 
inof,  his  work  on  his  farm  in  detail,  and  often  the  ex- 
penses,  &c. 

REV.  JOHN  MARRETT'S  DIARY. 

"Jany.  18  1769  Started  on  my  Journey  to  Yar- 
mouth.'' Here  he  preached  till  April  11,  when  the 
church  gave  him  a  call  to  settle.  This  he  declined, 
although  given  with  unusual  unanimity.  After  visiting 
his  uncle,  Rev.  Isaiah  Dunster,  by  whom  he  was  proba- 
bly introduced  to  that  people,  he  preached  at  Barnstable, 
then  returned  to  Cambridge,  and  roomed  at  the  College 
till  Aug.  5,  1770,  when  he  went  to  Mr.  Pidgeons,  at 
Xewton. 

June  3    Witnessed  transit  of  Venus 

Sept  4  Saw  the  comet  Its  tail  appears  to  be  20  rods 
long.     13th  do.     Its  tail  about  30  degrees 

1770  March  8. Went  to  Boston     Saw  ye 

largest  Funeral  perhaps  that  was  ever  in  Boston  8  or  10 
thousand  present — four  men  buried  in  one  grave  who 
were  shot  by  the  Centry  Guard  of  regulars  on  Monday 
night  last.  [The  Boston  massacre,  of  which  he  gives  a 
graphic  account.] 

Oct:  8.  Went  to  Cambridge  in  evening.  Made  an 
entertainment  for  the  Gentlemen  of  the  college  and 
quitted  living  at  the  college.  Gave  up  my  chamber  after 
possessing  it  3  years  &  4  mo. 

Oct  12     Set  out  on  a  journey  to  see  my  mother 

14     Preached  at   Mason,   20.     back   to   Newton 
' '  Can  go  no  where  else  " 

1771  July  12.  About  three  nights  agone  a  mad  Dog- 
passed  by  here  "  It  is  about  two  years  since  mad  Dogs 
came  into  this  country  "    Preached  at  Stow  12  Sabbatlis. 

1772  June  14  preached  at  xishby  "a  new  place  but 
good  land.  Settles  fast."  He  preached  here  six  Sab- 
baths. 


82  HENRY    DUNSTER  AND    HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

10 

1773  March  31  Very  warm  the  "Silver  Tankard 
tilled  with  Cyder  Sweated  like  Summer  " 

April  11     Left  off  my  wigg  &  wear  my  hair. 

Sept.  29.  Very  hot  &  dry.  At  Rhode  Island  they 
sell  the  water  in  the  town  for  lis.  3  pence  pr.  bbl. 

Oct  21  One  Levi  Ames  executed  at  Boston  for  stealing 
31  preached  at  Stow  the  last  of  my  engagement 
15  Sabbaths 

Dec  16  "A  meeting  of  ye  town  of  Boston  &  ye  neigh- 
boring towns  about  landing  a  Quantity  of  Tea  In  ye 
eveng  about  300  Chests  of  Tea  a  Board  ye  Ships  in  ye 
harbor  all  flung  over  Board  &  Destroyed  by  ye  pie.  yy 
mett  with  no  resistance  " 

1774  May  17  removed  from  Newton  to  Lexington  to 
live  with  my  Brother.  I  have  lived  at  Mr  Pidgeons  three 
years  &  nine  months 

Sept  2  (P.  S.)  Abt  3000  of  ye  country  pie  assembled 
at  Cambridge  with  fire  Arms  &  Clubs  yy  obliged  Col. 
Oliver  Judges  Danforth  &  Lee  to  resign  y''  Counsellor 
ship  &  Mr  Phipps  not  to  act  as  Sheriff.  [Mob  law 
rampant  in  Massachusetts  I] 

29  The  Church  in  Topsfield  [where  he  had  preached 
several  Sabbaths  J  gave  me  a  call.  He  declined  this  call 
also. 

Oct  11  A  provincial  Congress  at  Concord  began  to  day 
12  rode  from  Lex.  to  Concord  to  see  ye  Congress 

Nov  10  gave  my  answer  to  the  call  I  received  from 
"Woburn  Precinct  *  *  *  j  asked  for  wood — not 
granted  as  yet. 

16  Messrs  Zach'  Could  &  Daniel  Bixby  lodged  here 
last  night  &  tarried  to  day.  They  came  as  a  Comtte 
about  Topsfield  affairs 

17.  Capt  Johnson  and  Dea  Eeed  of  Woburn  visited 
me  &  informed  me  that  the  2""^  parish  in  Woburn  had 
complied  with  terms  for  settling  with  them  in  the  min- 
istry. 

29.  Eode  to  Woburn  attended  parish  meeting  Ordi- 
nation appointed  to  be  21  of  Dec. 

Dec  21  Last  night  and  to  day  Exceedingly  cold,  fair. 
Themo.  6^  A.  M.  My  Ordination  at  ye  2°^  Parish  in 
Woburn.     Went  into  meeting  house  a  little  before  12 


REV.    JOHN    MARRETT'S   DIARY.  83 

10 

clock  came  out  half  past  two  oclock  P.  M.  Rev*  Mess' 
Cusliing  of  Waltham  began  with  prayer.  Clark  of  Lex- 
ington preached  from  1  Thess.  2-4.  Sermon  an  hour 
and  ton  minutes  long.  A  very  good  Sermon.  Cook  of 
Cambridge  prayed  and  gave  the  Charge.  Stone  of  Read- 
ing prayed  after  tbe  Charge.  Morril  of  Wilmington 
gave  the  Right  Hand.  Was  sung  97  Hymn  a  stave  and 
a  half  from  the  -4  verse — good  singing  Council  Sui:)ped 
at  Lieut.  Walkers. 

Thus  he  remained  unsettled  for  eleven  years  after  his 
graduation,  and  at  least  eight,  probably  more,  after  he 
began  to  preach.  In  this  interim,  certainly  the  last  five 
years,  he  preached  al  most  every  Sabbath.  ]\I  ost  of  the  time 
as  a  substitute  for  others.  He  preached  in  nearly  every 
pulpit  in  and  around  Boston.  His  sermons,  the  manu- 
scripts of  which  are  now  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Sewall, 
at  Burlington,  are  of  the  Calvinistic  faith,  yet  liberal  and 
free  from  bigotry.  They  are  artistic  in  form,  systematic 
in  detail,  with  an  evident  intention  to  mould  the  affec- 
tions and  imrify  the  life,  rather  than  charm  the  head 
and  dazzle  the  understanding.  A  single  sentence,  writ- 
ten apparently  after  he  had  noted  "some  conversation 
on  points  of  Divinity  at  Topsfield,"  gives  an  insight  into 
his  views.     It  is  copied  verbatim : 

"  The  Doctrine  of  Election,  must  be  consistent  with 
mans  free  agency  so  yt  wn  Gd  Judgeth  sinners  yy  shll 
Stand  Condemned,  in  foro  cons'"'  that  is,  yy  are  not  con- 
demned because  Gd  would  not  Save  ym  but  fr  yir  own 
sins  &  because  yy  would  not  attend  to  &  accept  of  ye 
offers  of  salv°." 

Very  soon  after  his  ordination  he  moved  to  Woburn 
(Jan.  13,  1775).  "Board  at  Madam  Jones's  for  40s.  pr 
week,  and  keep  my  horse  myself."  Here  he  staid  about 
a  year.  Madam  Jones  was  the  widow  of  his  predecessor 
in  that  church.  He  afterwards  married  her  daughter. 
The  first  Sabbath  in  that  year  he  "went  to  meeting  on 
snow  shoes."  x\fter  moving  to  Woburn  he  devoted  his 
time  to  the  interests  of  the  parish — visiting  the  sick,  at- 
tending funerals,  solemnizing  marriages,  and  adminis- 


84  HENRY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

10 

tering  consolation  to  the  afflicted — all  of  whicli  are 
noted.  He  found  time,  however,  to  attend  to  a  farm  he 
had  bought  in  Lexington,  which  he  kept  till  April  18, 
1785,  and  also  to  the  homestead  of  Madam  Jones,  which 
ultimately  came  into  his  possession  through  his  wife. 
The  details  of  these  transactions  are  curious  and  interest- 
ing, embracing  daily  entries  for  forty  years,  excepting  a 
month,  when  he  "  bespoke  a  'Birth'  in  ye  Hospital  at 
Lincoln  for  ye  Small  Pox" "took  5  small  mer- 
curial Pills  2  doses  of  Salts  Whole  expense  about  £40 
Old  Tenor"  ($16.) 

On  one  occasion  he  writes:  ''Had  a  Blister  on  my 
arm  for  a  sore  eye."  (This  looks  like  the  famous  similia 
similibus  curantur,  but  failed  to  carry  out  the  formula 
of  infinitesimal  doses.)  On  another,  he  "Bottled  11 
Doz  &  One  bottles  of  Cyder." 

The  first  year  of  his  ministry  was  the  eventful  one  of 
the  opening  of  the  Eevolution.  In  this  he  took  an 
active  and  decided  stand  against  the  Mother  Country. 
On.  the  9th  of  Feb.,  1775,  he  attended   "a  Lecture  ^.i 

Lexington  on  the   Times  ^^ "I  began  with  prayer 

Mr.  Gushing  preached  from  Ps.  23,  28  '  He  is  the  Gov- 
ernor among  the  Nations.'" 

March  7  attended  training  at  Lexington.  21st  train- 
ing, viewed  arms  at  home  Aj^ril  4  rode  to  Heading  and 
heard  Mr  Stone  preach  a  sermon  to  the  Miiinte  Men 

April  8.  People  moving  out  of  Boston  on  account  of 
the  troops 

April  19  fair,  windy  &  cold.  "A  Distress'g  Day. 
Abt  800  Eegulars  marched  from  Boston  to  Concord  as 
yy  went  up  yy  killed  8  men  at  Lex.gton  meetg  house, 
they  buzzard  &  then  fired  as  our  men  had  turned  yr 
backs,  who  in  number  were  abt  100  &  yn  yy  proceeded 
to  Concord.  Ye  adjacent  Country  were  alarmed  ye  later 
part  of  ye  night  precedg.  Ye  action  at  Lex"  was  just 
before  Sunrise.  Our  men  pursued  ym  to  and  fm  Con- 
cord on  yr  retreat  back.  Several  killed  on  both  sides 
but  much  ye  least  on  our  Side  as  we  pickt  ym  off  on  yir 
retreat.  Ye  Eegulars  were  reinforced  at  Lcxgton  to  aid 
yir  retreat  by  800  wth  two  three  field  pieces    they  burned 


REV.    JOHN    MARRETT'S    DIARY.  85 

10 

3  houses  ill  Lexgton  and  one  barn  &  did  other  Mischief 
to  buildings  they  were  pursued  to  Charlestown  Where 
yy  entrencbed  on  a  hill  just  over  ye  neck,  thus  Com- 
mences an  important  Period 

April  20  rode  to  Lex"  and  saw  the  mischief  the  Reg- 
ulars did 

21.  rode  to  Concord.  The  country  coming  in  fast 
to  our  help. 

22.  All  quiet  here  Our  forces  gathered  at  Cambridge 
and  towns  about  Boston  The  regulars  removed  from 
Charlestown  to  Boston  the  day  before  yesterday 

23.  S.(abbath)  Preachedat  home.  Soldiers  travel- 
ling down  and  returning  brought  their  arms  with  them 
to  meeting  with  warlike  accoutrements.  A  Dark  Day. 
In  the  forenoon  service  just  as  service  was  ended  Dr. 
Blodget  came  in  for  the  People  to  go  with  their  teams  to 
bring  provisions  from  Marblehead  out  of  the  way  of  the 
Men  of  War.     Considerable  number  at  Meeting 

24.  packing  up  my  most  valuable  effects  to  be  ready 
to  move  on  any  "sudden  occasion" 

25  rode  to  Cambridge.  Our  forces  very  numerous 
there 

26.  returned  home  via  Lexg°  Many  houses  on  the 
road  pillaged  by  the  regulars  between  Lexington  and 
Charlestown 

There  was  one  important  personal  incident  in  the 
affair  at  Lexington  which  Mr.  Marrett  passes  without 
notice,  unless  the  words  ''sudden  occasion"  give  a  hint 
of  it. 

It  was  well  known  that  one  of  the  objects  of  Gen. 
Gage  was  to  seize  John  Hancock  and  Samuel  Adams. 

On  the  night  preceding  the  march  to  Lexington,  these 
men  were  lodging  at  the  Clark  parsonage,  formerly  the 
residence  of  Eev.  John  Hancock,  in  an  apartment  of  which, 
says  Drake,  {Hist.  Fields,  £c.,2).  366,)  there  is  no  doubt 
Hancock  courted  Dorothy  Quincy,  who  w^as  then  living 
in  the  house  under  the  protection  of  Madam  Lydia  Han- 
cock, the  Governor's  Aunt.  The  people  of  Lexington 
were  apprised  by  Revere  and  others  of  this  object  of 
Gaffe,  and  insisted  that  Hancock  and  Adams  should  sro 


86  HENRY    DUNSTER  AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

10 

to  a  place  of  greater  safety.  "  They  first  repaired  to  the 
hill  southeast  of  Mr.  Clark's,  where  they  remained  until 
the  troops  passed.  They  were  afterwards  conducted  to 
the  house  of  Madam  Jones,  widow  of  Eev.  Thomas 
Jones  and  Rev.  Mr.  Marrett,  in  Burlington"  (then 
Woburn).  Mrs.  Clark  had  arranged  to  have  fresh  sal- 
mon, the  first  of  the  season,  for  the  breakfast  of  her 
family  on  the  morning  of  the  19th.  The  abrupt  de- 
parture of  her  guests  had  disappointed  her  as  well  as 
themselves.  On  their  way  they  recollected  their  ex- 
pected entertainment.  They  stopped  at  Mr.  Reed's  for 
a  short  time,  sent  back  the  servant  to  get  the  rarity,  and 
took  it  with  them  for  Madam  Jones  to  cook.  Upon  a 
new  alarm,  they  were  conveyed  by  Mr.  Marrett  along  a 
cart-way  in  the  woods  to  the  house  of  Amos  Wyman,  in 
a  little  clearing,  about  three  miles  distant,  in  the  corner 
of  Billerica.  The  "  elegant  repast,"  as  Drake  calls  it, 
was  not  quite  ready,  and  they  left  it  untasted. 

In  the  meantime,  by  Mrs.  Jones'  directions,  the  ser- 
vants had  drawn  the  elegant  carriage  which  had  brought 
the  "Patriots"  to  her  house,  into  the  thickly  wooded 
swamp  to  avoid  any  trace  to  their  whereabouts. 

On  arriving  at  Mr.  Wyman's,  they  asked  if  they  could 
be  supplied  with  something  to  eat,  saying  they  had  had 
neither  breakfast  nor  dinner.  Mrs.  Wyman  replied  she 
had  nothing  in  the  house  except  the  cold  pork  and  pota- 
toes left  of  their  boiled  dinner.  Mr.  Adams  rejoined, 
please  let  us  have  some  of  them.  The  patriotic  woman, 
taking  down  from  the  kitchen  shelf  a  wooden  tray  con- 
taining the  boiled  salt  pork  and  unpeeled  potatoes  left 
of  the  family  dinner,  set  it,  with  some  brown  bread,  be- 
fore her  guests.  Woman  like,  she  apologized  for  the 
humble  fare.  Mr.  Adams,  with  his  usual  courtesy, 
assured  her  he  had  made  a  hearty  meal,  and  had  never 
tasted  anything  better.  Hancock  is  reported  to  have 
given  Mrs.  W.  a  cow  in  his  more  prosperous  days. 
{Family  tradition.. ) 

Dorothy  Q.,  who  liad  refused  to  have  her  lovev  sepa- 
rated from  her  at  Lexington,  appears  to  have  been  left 
at  Mrs.  Jones'.  Mr.  Marrett  constituted  himself  "Mas- 
ter of  Ceremonies "  and  apprised  his  proteges  of  tlie 


REV,   JOHN    MARRETT'S   LETTERS.  87 

10 

progress  of  events.  They  came  back  to  Mrs.  Jones'  the 
next  day,  but  appear  to  have  returned  to  Wy man's, 
where  Paul  Revere  and  Dorothy  Q.  joined  them.  They, 
with  the  "women  and  children  of  several  of  the  neigh- 
boring families  who  had  fled  thither  for  safety,  fearing 
that  if  they  remained  at  home  'the  Regulars'  might 
come  and  murder  them  or  carry  them  off,"  made  quite  a 
party,  "  roughing  it  in  the  woods." 

On  the  4th  of  September  of  the  same  year,  Dorothy 
Quincy  was  married  at  Fairfield,  Conn.,  to  John  Han- 
cock, afterwards  the  famous  President  of  the  Conti- 
nental Congress. 

On  the  12th  of  June  following,  Gen.  Gage,  by  procla- 
mation, exempted  Hancock  and  Adams  from  his  offer  of 
a  general  pardon,  and  declared  all  persons  who  might 
give  them  shelter  or  aid,  rebels  and  traitors. 

We  think  it  was  prudent  in  Mr.  Marrett  not  to  com- 
mit the  part  he  had  taken  in  the  affair  to  writing.  Had 
the  rebellion  been  unsuccessful,  his  head  might  have 
'* graced  the  hill  called  Bacon." 

The  Wyman  house  was  long  since  torn  down. 

There  is  not  a  doubt  of  the  truth  of  this  matter.  It 
is  detailed  in  the  histories  of  Lexington  and  Woburn. 

"Miss  Quincy,  afterwards  Mrs.  Hancock,  was  connec- 
ted with  the  Sewall  famih',  and  often  gave  to  my  father 
an  account  of  the  affair.  She  was  one  of  the  party.  He 
also  doubtless  heard  it  from  Madam  Joues,  who  was  liv- 
ing after  he  came  to  Burlington."  {Samuel  SeiualVs 
Letter.) 

As  it  has  never  been  published  before,  we  copy  hei'e, 
in  full,  a  letter  of  Rev.  J.  Marrett  to  his  uncle,  Isaiah 
Dunster,  found  among  the  papers  of  the  latter: 

"Rev"Hon°  &  Dear 

Sir  I  live  yis  week  recvd  yrs  of  y''  3'^  Inst.  &  think 
myself  very  happy  in  y*  continuation  of  yr.  Friendship 
&  Correspondence  w"  I  sli'll  always  endeavour  to  Culti- 
vate &  endeavour  to  Deserve:     I  acknowledge  my  past 

defficiencies  But  hope  for  future  amendments 1  hve 

sent  you  a  Letter  sometime  ago  w°  I  hpe  by  yis  time  has 
reached  vou.     I  am  glad  vou  continue  Steadfast  in  v* 


88  HENRY    DUJSTSTER    AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

10 

Cause  of  Liberty;  but  I  never  entertaiued  y^  least  Doubt 
to  y^  Contrary  knowing  y*  you  are  not  given  to  Change 
w°  you  are  once  established  on  rational  principles.  As 
to  those  around  you  of  different  Sent°"  yy  will  only  in- 
creas  y''  glory  by  yir  opposition — I  think  with  you  Con- 
cerning y*"  D"'  Serm.  y'  it  is  a  very  good  one.  as  to  y'' 
two  men  unarmed  y'  were  killed  in  a  house  at  Meno- 
tomy,  am  not  absolutely  Certain  but  take  ym  to  be  Jabez 
Wyman  who  used  to  work  for  Mr  Cook  and  Jason  Win- 
ship  killed  in  y*"  tavern  y'  Capt  Adams  formerly  owned, 
now  Cooper  at  the  Corner.  Wyman  was  certainly  killed 
yer  &  I  think  Winship  but  am  not  Certain  yy  were  un- 
armed; but  its  likely  enough  yy  were  drinking  phly' 
[flip].  Wyman  was  warned  of  y*"  Danger  but  says  he  let 
us  finish  y^  mug  yy  wont  come  yet  he  died  as  a  fool 
dieth.  the  woman  you  speak  of  was  Dea°°  Adams  wife 
She  had  newly  been  brot  to  bed  a  few  Days  before:  ye 
Regulars  Came  into  y^  house  &  one  of  ym  presented  lis 
peice  at  her  but  she  Screamed  for  mercy  &  another  pre- 
vented his  firing  but  pulled  ofE  y^  Cloths  &  told  her  to 
get  out  of  y^  way,  or  to  use  yir  phrase  to  make  herself 
Scarce,  So  she  Avent  off  but  I  know  not  where,  her 
child"  were  some  of  ym  under  y*"  bed  &  I  think  remained 
undiscovered,  yy  set  y^  house  on  fire  But  it  was  soon 
put  out:  yy  set  John  Cutters  house  on  fire  But  by  y^ 
Activity  of  our  pie  it  was  soon  put  out;  our  pie  2)ressed 
so  hard  upon  ym  y'  yy  had  not  time  to  Excute  yir  Mas- 
ters will  so  fully  as  yy  desired.  Menotomy  meetg  house 
received  no  other  Damage  than  some  of  y"  windows  be'g 
broken  and  some  Balls  fm  Small  Arms  Shot  into  it. 
Lexgton  meetg  had  a  Cannon  Ball  a  six  pounder  Shot 
thro  it  besides  many  small  arms  fired  into  it.  yy  broke  y® 
windows  of  Mr  Cooks  house  and  fired  into  it  &  y*"  kitchen 
y*"  setty  room  &  y  best  room  N.  E.  yy  plundered  as 
much  as  y"  time  would  admit;  took,  broke  &  Destroyed 
wht  yy  could — Jason  Russel  y^  Old  man  was  y'  person 
killed*  &  in  his  house  whose  Dth  I  have  mentioned  in  my 
other  Letter — it  was  not  your  Brother  Harrington  y'  was 
killed  nor  his  Son  It  was  Moses  Harringtons  Son  it 
runs  in  my  mind  yre  were  two  of  y*  name  killed  but  I 
forget  whose  son  y^  other  was. 


REV.   JOHN"   MARRETT'S   LETTERS.  89 

10 

As  to  y"  British  Pari""  having  y^  siipremicy  over  y* 
American  Colonies,  as  now  contended  for  by  y'  Body  I 
hope  y'  thro  y^  help  of  Divine  Providence  by  next  Sepf 
great  Britain  will  be  convinced  she  never  did,  nor  will 
hold  such  a  Power  in  her  hands,  thus  I  have  Answered 
■y^  Several  Questions  already  to  y^  best  of  my  knowledge 
1  was  in  y''  Army  last  Sab'"  &  left  my  pie  Destitute  in 
order  to  promote  y''  publick  good  Several  of  y"  neigh- 
boring ministers  hve  taken  yir  turns.  Of  late  it  hth 
been  somewhat  Sickly  in  our  army — fever  &  flux.  But 
not  many  die.  I  hear  it  is  very  sickly  at  Boston  both 
among  y^  Inhabitants  &  troops  &  mortally  so.  Our 
Army  appear  in  good  Spits  &  are  nnder  good  Regula- 
tions, no  prospect  of  y''  Regulars  Comg  out.  yy,  we 
imagine  are  more  afraid  of  an  attack  fm  us  two  of  y" 
advanced  Gentry  f  m  Bunker  hill  deserted  to  us  yesterday 
"Wht  yy  relate  hve  not  heard.  Our  Chief  G-eneral  is 
much  admired  Wish  him  Good  Speed.  We  ve  had  a 
very  dry  time  yesterday  a  fine  rain.  I  hve  Just  made 
inquiry  &  am  informed  y'  Jason  Winship  &  Wyman  were 
y^  persons  killed  who  were  unarmed  &  had  not  been  in 
the  engagement  but  were  Solacg  themselves  at  y^  tavern 
y*  chief  of  y^  day  &  both  died  like  fools  hve  also  heard 
y'  7  deserters  are  come  over  to  us  from  y*  enemy  who 
brng  an  ace'  y'  5500  troops  were  y^  whole  number  y'  were 
in  Boston  &  its  environs  &  its  not  likely  more  yan  2200 
of  ym  can  performe  duty — An  officer  afterwards  came  to 
our  advanced  Centry  on  Charleston  Side  &  inquired  of 
our  Centry  how  we  treated  deserters,  who  answered  yy 
were  treated  as  yy  ym  selves  were  y''  well  says  y"  Officer 
and  turned  about  to  go  away.  Sa3's  our  Centry  where 
are  you  go'ng?  back  says  y*"  Offi''.  Stop  says  Centi-y  I 
have  a  brace  of  Balls  in  my  Gun  &  if  you  Stir  another 
Step  you  are  a  ded  man.  Come  back  Upon  y'  y^  Offi"" 
returned  and  yy  took  care  of  him  *  D""  Eliot  has  got 
out  in  Disguise.  13  in  a  week  of  y"  Inhabitants  of  Bos- 
.ton  die.  its  so  sickly     thus  you  hve  it  Just  as  I  hve  now 

receved  it    how  true  it  will  prove  know  not.  there 

is  likely  to  be  plenty  of  Cyder  &  Indian  Corn  yn  expect 
Bread  &  Cyder — I  hve  got  good  Bottle  Cyder  &  pipe  »& 
tobacco     will  you  come  and  see  me?     My  Dutiful  re- 


90  HENRY   DUNSTER  AND   HIS  DESCENDANTS. 

10 

gards  to  Mrs  Dunster  &  love  to  your  Children — Am  not 
married    From  your  Dutiful  &  Obedent  HumW  Serv't 

SllUslian   July   28    1775  J.      Mar    [Pan  of  signature  and 

*  P  S  Since  heard  y'  ys.  story  is  not  true  ■^""^^ »"«""  g«ne.] 
&  D^  Eli 

of  Boston    we  dont  know 
Some  days  after  a  thing  is  li 
Every  day  hear  y^  firing  of 
frequently  in  y''  morning  y*  reg 

Sir  Please  to  convey  y^  Inclosed  to  Mrs  Hows  when 
you  have  opertunity  &  thereby  you'  oblige  &c  " 

''Mrs.  Hows.  We  should  Choose  to  have  about  12  15 
or  18  yds  Linnen  Cloth  f  of  a  yd  wide  after  it  is  scunc 
[shrunk]  y*"  yarn  to  be  spun  so  y'  12  or  14  Skeins  (7 
knots  to  y®  Skein)  will  weigh  1  lb.  before  it  is  Boiled — 
we  expect  to  pay  y"  Cash  for  it  as  soon  as  done  But 
should  be  glad  to  know  before  you  begin." 

The  letter  was  directed: 

For— The  Rev. d— *''"•— Isaiah  Dunster— Att  Harwich. 
Pr.  Favour  of  Mr.  Joseph  Nye — 

Representative  for  Harwich. 

There  are  two  or  three  other  letters  from  Mr.  Marrett 
to  his  uncle,  Isaiah  Dunster,  which  are  interesting.  All 
these  letters  were  found  in  Rev.  Isaiah  Dunster's  papers: 

"  Revd  &  Hon"  Sir  It  is  so  long  since  we  have  had 
any  Communication  between  each  other  that  I  know 
not  what  to  write  (and  yet  you  would  think  I  might 
iiave  collected  matter  enough  by  this  time  to  fill  a  Let- 
ter) I  have  transciently  heard  from  you  two  or  three 
times  which  was  some  Satisfaction  The  reason  why  you 
have  had  no  Letter  from  me  is  owing  to  y^  removal  of 
Mrs  Stone  from  her  old  place.  I  have  repeatedly  en- 
deavored to  find  her  present  place  of  abode  but  without 
success  I  continue  at  Shushan  But  my  Income  is  not 
answerable  to  so  Dignified  a  Name.  Thro  Divine  Good- 
ness we  are  all  in  health  little  Patty  (stil  y*"  only  one) 
has  entered  her  7""  year  and  I  dont  know  but  is  as  likely 
as  y""  fair  ones  of  Harwich  The  Measles  are  reif  amongst 
us  none  of  my  family  but  myself  have  had  ym  and  we 
are  in  daily  expectation  of  having  ym     your  Brother 


KEY.    JOHN    MARRETT'S    LETTERS.  91 

10 

Dunster  comes  to  see  me  once  a  quarter  &  seldom  goes 
away  without  6|  dollars  at  time  its  not  long  since  he 
was  here;  they  were  all  well;  mother  as  usnal.  The 
winter  favourable  but  little  snow  not  enough  for  trans- 
portation. 

I  had  a  full  View  &  for  Sometime  of  the  President  of 
y'=  Union  upon  his  Visit-amongst  us  The  View  was  in 
the  College  Library;  the  first  time  I  ever  saw  him.  his 
Dress  was  neat  &  modest,  his  personal  appearance  good 
But  not  Distinguishingly  great.  But  there  is  something 
in  his  Mein,  Behaviour  &  Address  w"  commands  love  & 
respect  &  Discovers  quietness  &  penetration  of  that  & 
observation  (with  y*"  greatest  ease)  of  every  thing  around 
him  He  appears  affible  &  pleasant  but  not  lightly  so. 
The  Affections  &  Benevolence  of  a  tender  Parent  as  well 
as  y''  qualities  &  Accomplishments  of  a  Supreme  Civil 
&  Military  Officer  appear  to  possess  his  Soul. 

We  have  no  Special  News  But  mind  our  own  business 
&  live  upon  the  fruits  of  last  summer's  labor.  Should 
be  glad  to  hear  from  you  y''  first  opportunity.  We  all 
unite  Duty  &  Regards  to  yourself  &  Lady  &  Family. 
Woburn  Feby  3  17*J0  From  your  old  acquaintance 
Eev  Mr  Dunster  "  John  Marrett 

^'  Revd  Sir — I  rote  a  Letter  last  winter  for  you  I 
hve  nt  had  opportunity  to  send  it,  not  havng  been  at 
Boston  since  last  Fall  Therefor  send  it  with  this  No- 
thing remarkable  hath  turned  up  since  writ.g  of  y*"  fore- 
gong — we  have  not  had  y^  Measles  tho  yy  hve  been  all 
round  us.  it  has  been  Sickly  &  a  time  of  mortality  in 
many  paces  this  spring,  with  us  in  general  healthy. 
The  Distemper  called  y^  Influenza  has  prevailed — I  have 
been  confined  with  it  about  10  days.  But  now  well  as 
we  all  are  we  hve  no  news,  the  Spring  appears  promis- 
ing at  present  for  a  good  Season  The  apple  trees  are  in 
yir  Glory  a  fine  show  of  Blossoms  Should  be  very  glad 
to  see  you  or  any  of  yr.  fam'y  here.  Whether  I  shall 
ever  Come  into  yr.  parts  again  or  not  is  very  uncertain 
Mr  Hilyard  of  Cambridge  continued  but  a  short  time  in 
his  agreeable  Situation — Please  give  my  dutiful  Regards 
to  Mrs  Dunster  k  love  to  yr  Children  Shld  be  glad  once 
more  to  See  them — my  little  Patty  is  in  her  Seventh  year 
*9 


92  HENRY    DUNSTER  AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

10 

t&  grows  fast — yr  Brother  is  well  for  ought  I  know — my 

Mother  much  so     Mrs  Marrett  is  not  present  or  also 

would  join  in  her  regards  to  you  &  family 

May  25  1790  From  your  old  Friend 

Kev  Mr  Dunster"  John  Marrett 

[Directed]   Eev  Isaiah  Dunster   Harwich  Cape  Cod 

The  death  of  Rev.  Isaiah  Dunster  took  place  Jan.  18, 
1791.  Rev.  Mr.  Marrett  wrote  to  his  widow  a  feeling 
letter  of  condolence: 

"Dear  Madam  It  is  a  long  time  since  there  has 
been  any  Correspondence  between  me  &  your  family  by 
Letters  &  this  on  my  part  for  want  of  Conveyance:  But 
tlio  it  is  a  long  while  since  you  have  heard  from  me,  yet 
I  have  not  forgot  you.  I  sincerly  Condole  with  you  & 
Family  under  y^  heavy  Loss  you  have  sustained  in  y*" 
Death  of  my  Uncle.  Alas  how  great  is  y^  Change  in 
your  Family!  I  have  lost  a  Friend  in  whom  I  took  great 
satisfaction;  But  y^  best  of  friends  must  part:  we  live  in 
a  world  of  Change;  which  should  teach  us  to  place  our 
Hopes  on  better  things  than  Creature  Comforts  or  Earth- 
ly Enjoyments.  I  heartily  wish  you  &  your  Family  the 
Divine  Consolations  &  y*"  Guidance  Protection  &  Bless- 
ing of  Divine  Providence  that  your  Days  on  Earth  may 
be  blest  &  that  y''  Blessing  of  y^  Just  may  rest  on  you  & 
yours  The  first  intelligence  I  had  of  M"'  Dunsters 
Death  was  by  y"  Publick  Prints  But  we  knew  not  what 
he  died  of  til  M""-  Stone  who  was  up  at  Election  informed 
me  I  hear.y*  people  of  Harwich  are  well  united  in  M'"- 
Simpkins  &  hope  they  will  be  happily  provided  for  in 
Another  Minister — I  dont  know  M''-  Simpkins. 

If  any  of  your  Family  should  come  to  Boston  I  should 
be  glad  to  see  them  at  Woburn — I  heard  y'  one  of  your 
daughters  was  at  Boston  last  year  &  sent  me  a  Letter  but 
I  never  received  it  nor  heard  she  was  in  Boston  till  some- 
time after  she  returned.  I  should  be  glad  to  hear  from 
you  I  have  received  M'-  Mellens  Funeral  Sermon  for 
which  I  thank  you — We  are  all  in  tollerable  good  health 
M'-  Dunsters  family  at  Mason  were  all  well  last  April — 

I  remain  your  Sinceer  Friend 
Woburn  July  18  1791.  John  Marrett 

Mrs  Dunster "      [Directed]    Madam  Dunster    Harwich 


REV.    JOHN   MARRETT'S    DIARY.  95 

10 

"We  resume  the  Diary: 

1775  June  17  S  Preached  at  home  very  thin  meet- 
ing- the  men  gone  down  to  tlie  Army  on  the  ahim  yes- 
terday (P  S)  Last  night  3000  of  our  army  went  to 
Charlestown  and  entrenched  on  a  hill  But  before  they 
had  prepared  their  cannon  the  shipping  and  Regulars 
by  land  attacked  them  After  much  fighting  we  were 
obliged'to  quit  the  entrenchment  and  the  town.  Many 
killed  and  wounded  on  both  sides  The  shipping  annoy- 
ed us  much  The  town  laid  in  Ashes!  The  adjacent 
country  gone  down^lOOO  of  the  Regulars  killed  & 
wounded  not  more  than  200  of  ours. 

24 — Just  heard  that  our  army  entrenched  last  night 
nearer  to  the  enemy  on  Bunker's  hill — and  that  the 
enemy  this  morning  appeared  with  their  horse  in  Battle 
array  and  in  readiness  at  the  bottom  of  the  hill  to  drive 
our  forces  away — but  after  a  while  they  withdrew 

Dec  29  Our  forces  essayed  to  attack  Bunker  hill  over 
the  ice  on  the  Mill  Pond .  but  the  Ice  was  not  strong 
enough. 

1776  Aug  15  S  Read  the  Declaration  of  Independence 
1778  Oct  13     removed  from  Dea  Johnson  to  my  place 

in  Lex 

1779.  Dec  16.  Morning  Some  Snow  and  then  cleared 
off  Was  Married  to  Miss  Martha  Jones — Mr.  Morril 
officiated 

23     Moved  into  Parish  [at  Mrs  Jones  again] 

1780  Jan  4  Great  Snows — went  on  Rackets  till  Feb 
no  roads  broken  out 

1780  May  19  Morning,  Thunder  &  rain  at  home 
An  uncommon  Darkness  from  ^  past  10  clock  A.  M.  to 
^  past  one  P.  M.  So  dark  that  I  couldnt  see  to  read 
common  print  at  the  window  nor  see  the  hour  of  the 
clock  unless  close  to  it  and  scarcely  to  see  to  read  a  Bible 
of  large  print  people  left  off  work  in  the  house  and 
abroad.  The  fowls,  some  of  them  went  to  roost  It  was 
cloudy,  wind  S.  \V.  The  Heavens  looked  yellowish  and 
gloomy  what  is  the  Occasion  of  it  is  unknown  The  moon 
fulled  yesterday  Many  persons  much  terrified  never 
known  so  dark  a  day    People  lit  candles  to  see  to  dine. 

1782    June   16      S.     Preached   at  home.      My  wife 


94  HENRY    DUNSTER  AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

10 

brought  to  bed  5  oclock  P  M  The  child  Hved  about 
3  hours     A  son 

18     Funeral  of  my  child 

1783.  Nov  2.  S.  My  wife  brot  to  bed  last  night  30 
min  past  1  oclock  of  a  daughter 

Nov  9     Baptized  my  child  [Martha  ''  little  Patty."] 

1786  Great  commotion  concerning  Setting  of  the 
Court  at  Concord.  The  courts  at  Northampton  &  Wor- 
cester prevented  by  mobs. 

1787  Troops  passing  here  on  their  way  to  Worcester 
1803.    Aug  25    Mrs  Marrett  Sick  for  three  days  past 

30     Mrs  M.  dangerously  Sick  of  a  Fever 

Sept  7     Mrs  M.  remains  very  Aveak     Her  Senses  gone 

11  S.  preach'd  A.  M. — dismissed  the  People  P.  M. 
\  past  4  oclock  my  wife  died 

Sejjt  12  Busy  in  sorrow  preparing  for  the  funeral. 
14  fair— The  funeral  of  Mrs  Marrett.  Minis- 
ters Eevd  Messrs.  Clark,  Stone  Dr.  Cummings  Dr.  Os- 
good, Fisk,  Adams — A  very  large  collection  of  People 
The  procession  reachd  from  meeting  house  into  the 
Burying  Yard  &  not  all  went  The  whole  conducted 
with  Great  Decency  and  propriety My  people  ex- 
ceedingly Kind  and  helpful  They  propose  to  defray  the 
funeral  Charges 

18.  Sabbath  Preached  at  home  Funeral  Sermon  on 
the  death  of  my  wife 

1806  June  16.  The  great  and  Solar  Eclipse.  The 
Sun  totally  covered.  The  Stars  appeard  bright  Dark 
as  a  Moon-Shine  night  as  the  eclipse  went  off  could  see 
the  moon  with  the  sun 

1810  March  21  Pidgeons  flew  in  abundance  towards 
N.  E.  for  two  days 

1812  March  26  Pidgeons  flew  in  multitudes  for  three 
days. 

May  1     Some  sore  on  my  foot    Dr  Kitteredge  here 

Nov.  26  Thanksgiving,  preached  at  home  [This 
appears  to  have  been  his  last  sermon.] 

Nov  29  S.  no  preaching  first  time  omitted  on  account 
of  my  sore  foot    I  know  not  when  I  shall  preach  again. 

Dec  30     Cloudy    Wind  S.  W  )  [Written  with  a  trem- 
31         do  do         jblinghand.] 


EEV.   JOHN   MARRETT'S    DEATH.  95 

10 

This  ends  his  Diary.  He  died  Feb.  18,  1813,  of  a 
cancer  on  his  foot,  and  was  buried  near,  but  by  a  mis- 
take not  exactly  beside  his  wife,  in  the  old  cemetery  at 
Burlington.  A  marble  stone  is  erected  at  his  grave  with 
this  inscription: 

Your  fathers,  where  are  they? 

And  the  prophets,        do  they  live  forever? 

HERE 

Lie  the  Remains  of  the 

Rev.    Mr.    John     Marrett, 

Third  Pastor  of  the  Church  of  Christ 
in  this  Place, 

Who  departed  this  life 

February  18,  Anno  Domini  1813, 

JE.    72. 

A  good  man,  a  Just  and  devout. 
In  temper  mild,  in  deportment  blameless, 
In  doctrine  incorrupt.      Grave,  sincere, 

Given   to    Hospitality 

and  eminently  Studious  of  the  Things 
that  make  for  peace. 

He  labored  38  years  in  the  Ministry 
In  active  harmony  with  this  people. 

He    died    lamented 

as  he  had  lived  respected  &  beloved. 

"The  Righteous  hath  Hope  in  his  death." 

Remember  them  that  have  spoken  unto  you  the  Word 
of  God  whose  faith  follow,  considering  the  end  of  their 

Conversation, 

.Jesus  Christ,  the  same  yesterday,  to-day  &  forever. 


96  HENRY    DUNSTER  AND   HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

10 

The  Eev.  Thomas  Jones,  the  father  of  Mrs.  Marrett, 
graduated  at  Harvard  College  1741,  was  settled  at  Wo- 
burn  2nd  Parish  in  1751.  He  was  the  predecessor  of 
Eev.  John  Marrett.  He  died  March  13,  1774,  in  the 
52d  year  of  his  age,  and  24th  of  his  ministry.  He  mar- 
ried Abigail  Wiswell,  of  Dorchester.  She  was  the  daugh- 
ter of  Wiswell,  who  owned   "Savin  Hill,  now  a 

favorite  place  of  residence  for  those  who  have  plenty  of 
money."  She  died  May  24,  1814,  aged  92,  having  lived 
a  widow  40  years.  In  the  Diary,  the  Wiswell  family  is 
often  referred  to,  especially  "Lois,"  whom  Mr.  Marrett 
sometimes  calls  "sister." 

Eev.  John  Marrett,  as  we  have  seen,  married  Dec.  16, 
1779,  Martha  Jones.  She  died  Sept.  11,  1803.  They 
had  two  children: 

1.  Infant"  son,  born  June  16,  Sunday,  1782.  He 
lived  about  three  hours. 

2.  Martha®  Marrett,  {Jolm,^  Amos  and  Mary^  D., 
Henry,^  Jonathan,^  Henry,)  born  Nov.  2,  Sunday,  1783. 
She  is  often  called  by  her  father  "httle  Patty."  She 
was  an  object  of  tender  solicitude,  being  the  only  daugh- 
ter and  surviving  child.  She  married  Jan.  1,  1818, 
Samuel  Sewall,  son  of  Chief  Justice  Samuel  Sewall  and 
Abigail  Devereux.  He  was  born  at  Marblehead,  June  1, 
1785,  graduated  at  Harvard  College  1804,  was  settled  at 
Burlington,  Mass.,  (over  the  2nd  Church  in  Woburn,  as 
formerly  known — Burlington  was  incorporated  1799), 
April  13,  1814,  where  he  preached  until  1842.  He 
preached  several  years  afterwards  as  a  supply  for  the 
society  in  North  Woburn,  where  he  organized  a  church. 
He  wrote  for  the  American  Quarterly  Eegister,  in  1838, 
"  A  complete  list  of  the  churches  and  ministers  of  Mid- 
dlesex *  *  *  "  making,  in  many  cases,  a  history  of  the 
churches  and  their  usages.  He  was  distinguished  as  an 
antiquary.  He  deciphered  the  "Balehoult"  Letter,  be- 
fore referred  to.  He  also  wrote  the  History  of  Woburn, 
which  was  his  last  work.  It  was  in  the  hands  of  the 
printer  at  the  time  of  his  death,  Feb.  18,  1868,  aged  82 
years,  8  months  and  17  days.  His  wife,  Martha,®  died 
March  26,  1860,  aged  75  years,  4  montlis  and  25  days. 


SAMUEL'    SEWALL.  97 

10 

They  are  buried  at  the  new  cemetery  in  Burlington. 

They  had  three  children: 

(i)  Samuel'  Sewall,  {Scunuel  and  Patty^  {Mar- 
retf,')  Amos  and  Mary*'  D.,  Henry, '^  Jonathan,'^  Henry, ^) 
born  Nov.  29,  baptized  Dec.  20,  1819.  He  resides  on 
the  old  Jones,  Marrett,  and  Sewall  parsonage,  which  he 
has  improved  by  additions  and  adornments  since  those 
of  his  Grandfather  Marrett.  With  commendable  regard 
for  the  memory  of  his  ancestors,  he  has  left  untouched 
by  the  barbarism  called  modern  architecture,  that  "best 
room,"  where  Hancock  and  Adams  Avere  disappointed  of 
their  "  savory  breakfast,"  and  where  some  of  these  mem- 
oranda were  written.  Its  walls  are  adorned  with  the 
painted  portraits  of  Chief  Justice  Sewall  and  other 
worthies,  carrying  one  back  to  old  times  when  minis- 
ters were  not  ashamed  to  walk  to  meeting  on  Eackets. 
Those  magnificent  elm  and  chestnut  trees,  four  feet  in 
diameter,  which  adorn  the  lajvn  in  front  of  the  house, 
were  mere  saplings  when  Rev.  John  Marrett  first  visited 
his  "  lady  love."  On  one  of  those  occasions,  he  tied  his 
horse  to  one  of  them.  Perceiving  this,  Mr.  Jones'  col- 
ored servant  removed  it  to  a  more  proper  place,  and, 
with  a  native  politeness  known  only  to  his  race,  an- 
nounced: "I'se  fetched  the  gemmans  horse  and  hitched 
him  wiiere  folks  allers  put  um,  cause  he'd  eat  up  the 
trees  me  &  Massa  planted."  Faithful  and  considerate 
man,  he  appears  to  have  been  the  trusted  executive  of 
the  estate  after  Mr.  Jones'  death.  Honorable  mention 
is  often  made  of  him  in  Mr.  Marrett's  Diary.  He  now 
reposes  in  the  adjacent  cemetery,  borne  to  his  grave  by 
the  selectmen  of  Burlington,  personally,  as  a  mark  of 
respect  for  him  and  the  ministerial  families  he  had 
served  so  long;  and  in  the  Family  Bible  it  is  written  of 
him:  "  Cuff,  the  faithful  Negro  Servant  of  the  above 
Thomas  &  Abigail  [Jones]  died  April,  1813,  having 
lived  in  the  family  about  60  years." 

Mr.  Sewall  (Samuel)  has  been  much  in  town  business 
— the  settlement  of  estates,  and  other  trusts.  He  is  now 
Clerk  and  Treasurer  of  the  town  of  Burlington,  and  Jus- 
tice of  the  Peace.     To  him  we  are  indebted  for  much 


98  HENRY    DU^STSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

11 

information  of  the  Marrett  family.  He  married  March 
21,  1844,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth 
(Tuttle)  Brown,  of  Billerica.  She  was  born  at  Carlisle, 
Mass.,  Feb.  6,  1820.  They  are  both  members  of  the 
Congregational  Church.  They  have  two  children,  born 
at  the  old  parsonage: 

(1)  Samuel^  Brown  Sewall,  {Samuel,"^  Samiiel,^ 
Jolm^  Marrett,  Amos  and  Mary^  D.,  Henry, ^  Jonathan,'^ 
Henry,^)  born  Aug.  17,  1846.  He  was  clerk  at  Carter 
&  Wiley's,  druggists,  Washington  street,  Boston.  He  is 
now  in  business  for  himself,  as  druggist  and  apothecary. 
Main  street,  corner  of  Oak,  Charlestown,  Mass.  He 
married  June  11,  1872,  Louisa  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  T. 
E.  Farrington,  of  Cambridge.     They  live  in  Cambridge. 

(2)  Martha^  Elizabeth  Sewall,  born  Tuesday, 
May  18,  1858,  is  at  school  at  Cambridge,  boards  with 
her  brother.  P.  S.  She  graduated  with  distinguished 
honor,  and  is  now,  1876,  at  her  father's.  She  has  been 
appointed  as  School  Superintendent  for  the  town  of  Bur- 
lington, although  but  eighteen  years  of  age. 

(ii)  Martha^  Sewall,  daughter  of  Samuel  and 
Martha  (little  Patty)  Sewall,  was  born  Oct.  31,  bap- 
tized Nov.  1,  1823,  married  at  Burlington,  Nov.  26, 
1861,  Luther  P.  Martin,  of  GofEstown,  N.  H.  He  is  a 
very  successful  teacher  at  Windsor  Locks,  Conn. 

(iii)  Abigail''  Devereux  Sewall,  dangh.  of  Sam- 
uel and  Martha  (little  Patty)  Sewall,  was  born  Sept.  7, 
1830,  and  was  baptized  12th.  She  is  a  teacher,  with  her 
brother-in-law,  L.  P.  Martin,  and  lives  with  her  sister  at 
Winsor  Locks.     Unmarried. 

11.  iii.  Abigail*  Dunster,  the  third  child  of 
Henry  ^  and  Martha  (Russel)  Diinster,  was  born  March 
18,  1714,  and  baptized  March  21,  1713-14,  at  First 
Church  in  Cambridge.  This  date,  1713-14,  is  accord- 
ing to  the  old  reckoning,  when  March  commenced  the 
year,  therefore  the  bi.rth  and  baptism  were  really  in  1714. 
She  was  admitted  to  the  First  Church,  Cambridge,  with 
her  sister,  Mary  (Marrett),  March  9,  1729-30,  as  a  mem- 
ber in  full  communion,  and,  as  she  had  been  baptized, 
she  was  admitted  on  a  profession  of  faith,  and  not  re- 


ABIGAIL*    DUNSTER.  99 

11 

baptized.  She  murried  James  Cutler,  Jr.,  (not  Cutter, 
as  is  written  in  the  family  record  of  Rev.  Isaiah  Dunster, 
and  as  printed  on  page  40  of  this  work,  and  from  that 
record  })rinted  in  Life  Henry  Dunster,  p.  239).  Of  the 
date  of  this  marriage  Ave  have  no  record,  but  tliey  were 
published  29th  Oct.,  1737.  He  was  probably  the  son  of 
James  Cutler,  baptized  at  Watertown,  Jan.  9,  1687,  and 

Alice .     If  so,  he  was  born  April  3,  1715,  and  died 

in  Salem  in  1795,  aged  80  years.  They  lived  in  Meno- 
tomy,  and  she  was  among  the  constituent  members  of 
Cambridge  2nd  Church,  1739.  The  history  of  this  fam- 
ily is  only  known  to  us  in  fragments,  which  it  is  difficult 
to  arrange.  In  1750  he  was  certainly  in  Cambridge  and 
was  an  innkeeper,  and,  without  much  doubt,  at  Meno- 
tomy,  now  Arlington.  At  that  time,  he  conveyed  to 
Jason  Dunster,  of  Cambridge,  husbandman,  for  and  in 
consideration  of  one  hundred  and  six  pounds,  thirteen 
shillings  and  four  pence,  lawful  money,  "  One  fourth 
part  of  a  certain  piece  of  Land  and  the  Mansion  House 
and  the  barn  thereon,  lying  and  being  in  Cambridge 
aforesaid  which  land  is  Bounded  South  Easterly  on  Con- 
cord Road,  Easterly  on  James  Cutlers  Land  Northerly 
on  Gilboa  Road  Westerly  partly  on  Winships  &  partly  on 
Whitmans  land  Also  one  fourth  part  or  piece  of  Pasture 
Land — in  Said  Cambridge  bounded  Northerly  on  Con- 
cord Road  Easterly  on  land  of  the  town  of  Cambridge, 
Southerly  on  Appletons  land  Westerly  on  Coopers  land 
containing  about  ten  acres  which  land  and  buildings 
were  owned  by  Henry  Dunster  Junr.  late  of  Said  Cam- 
bridge deceased     *     *     * 

And  that  he,  the  said  Jason  Dunster,  his  Heirs  and 
Assigns  shall  &  may  from  Time  to  Time  and  at  all  times 
for  ever  hereafter  by  force  and  Virtue  of  these  Presents 
lawfully,  Peacebly  and  Quietly  Have  Hold  Use  Occupy, 
Possess  &  Enjoy  the  said  demised  and  bargained  Premi- 
ses with  the  Appurtanances  free  &  clear  and  freely  and 
clearly  Acquitted  exonerated  and  discharged  of  from  all 
and  all  manner  of  former  Gifts  Grants  Bargains  Sales 
Leases  Mortgages  Wills  Entails  Jointures  Dowiers  Judge- 
ments Executions  or  Incumberances  of  What  Name  or 
Nature  soever 

10 


100         HENRY    DUNSTER    AXD    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 
11 

And  Abigail  the  wife  of  me  the  said  James  Cutler 
doth  by  these  Presents  freely,  willingly  give,  yield  up 

and  Surrender  all  her  right  of  dower 

In  witness  Avhereof  I  the  above  named  James  Cutler  & 
Abigail  my  wife  have  jmt  our  hands  and  seals  this  twen- 
ty fifth  day  of  January  Anno  Domi  1750 — and  in  the 
twenty  fifth  year  of  the  reign  of  his  Majesty  King,  King, 
George  the  Second. 

(Signed  &c)  James  Cutler  Jun 

Samuel  Russel  Abigail  Cutler" 

her 
''Widder"  Anna  X  Fessenden 
mark 

This  was  the  same  property  conveyed  to  him,  wdth 
Edward  Dickson,  Isaiah  Dunster  and  Jason  Dunster,  by 
Abigail  (Moor),  widow  of  Henry*  Dunster,  the  20tli  of 
December,  174:9,  which  he.  James  Cutler,  Jr.,  kept  only 
one  month. 

The  next  we  find  of  him  in  a  property  transaction,  is 
a  deed  {Middlesex,  Vol.  101,  j9.  132,)  in  which  he  joins 
with  the  Dunster  heirs,  viz, : 

''Rev.  Isaiah  Dunster,  Edward  Dickson  and  wife, 
Martha,  James  Cutler,  of  Salem,  brickmaker,  and  wife, 
Abigail,  Amos  Marrett,  of  Lexington,  John  Marrett,  of 
Newton,  Gentlemen,  and  Jason  Dunster,  of  Mason, 
'Heirs  at  Law  to  our  Late  honored  Mother,  Martha 
Locke,  Cambridge,  deceased.'" 

This  was  the  property  left  by  Henry ^  Dunster  to  his 
wife,  who  afterwards  married  Francis  Locke.   (  V.  ante.) 

To  this  transaction  Rev.  John  Marrett  refers  in  his 
Diary,  Sept.  30,  1771:  "Rode  to  Cambridge  and  set- 
tled Grand  Mother  Locke  estate  and  lodged  at  Dixons." 

It  is  pretty  clear  that  they  lived  in  Cambridge  in  1755, 
and  probably  kept  the  inn  much  longer.  March  18, 
1773,  Jonathan  Gardner  conveyed  to  James  Cutler,  of 
Salem,  Bricl-mal:er,  house  and  land,  bounding  east  on 
the  highway  leading  to  the  Great  Pasture.  This  was  at 
the  west  end  of  the  town.  He  appears  to  have  resided 
there  till  his  death  in  1795.     He  mortgaged  the  same 


ABIGAIL*   DUNSTEH.  101 

11 

place,  ut  tire  time  lie  bouglit  it,  to  Willium  Cutler,  of 
Cambridge,  yeoman,  his  wife,  Abigail,  releasing  her 
dower.  She  made  her  mark  in  this  deed.  This  is  very 
significant.  We  know  she  could  write,  and  her  signa- 
ture, now  before  us,  much  resembles  those  of  President 
D.,  her  Grandfather,  Jonatlian,  and  her  father,  Henry 
Dunster — all  being  much  alike.  That  mortgage  was  not 
discharged  till  Feb.  21,  1795,  and  then  done  by  Thomas 
Brooks,  administrator.  He  mortgaged  again,  May  5, 
1789,  to  William  Cutler,  of  Weston,  Middlesex  Co.  In 
1785  he  is  described  as  a  "victualler,"  with  a  slaughter 
house  and  bake  house  standing  on  his  land.  In  1789  he 
mortgaged  the  same  estate  to  Benjamin  Phillips,  and  in 
this  deed  he  is  described  as  a  "  brickmaker  of  Salem." 
In  this  deed  his  wife,  Huldah,  releases  her  dower.  In 
1790  he  is  styled  a  victualler  in  one  deed,  in  another, 
a  butcher.  In  1783  he  conveyed  part  of  his  land  and 
house  to  George  West,  who,  at  the  same  time,  reconvey- 
ed  it  to  his  wife,  Abir/ail,  and  in  1793  this  land  is  de- 
scribed as  the  land  of  the  heirs  of  his  second  wife,  Abi- 
(jail.  This  looks  like  confusion;  but  on  examining  the 
records  of  intentions  of  marriages  {City  Records),  these 
entries  are  found: 

''April  6  1776  James  Cutler  and  Widow  Abigail  Toz- 
zcr  both  of  Salem." 

"April  28  1787  James  Cutler  and  Huldey  Symonds 
both  of  Salem." 

In  the  records  of  deaths,  "Feb.  1795  James  Cutler 
victualler  died  aged  80  years." 

In  the  .probate  records  is  found:  "Admr.  on  Estate 
of  James  Cutler  of  Salem,  victualler  granted  to  Abraham 
Foster  March  2  1795."  The  estate  was  settled  and  re- 
ceipts given  by  Huldah — the  widow — George  West,  son 
(in-law?)  James  Joimson,  son  (in-law?)  and  Abigail 
Lander. 

For  these  recorded  items  we  are  indebted  to  William 
P.  Upham,  Esq.,  Harvard  College,  1856. 

From  these  scanty  records,  not  a  solitary  tradition 
having  reached  us,  we  can  only  conjecture  that  her  hus- 


102         HENRY    DUNSTEK  AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 
11 

band,  who  was  innkeeper,  brickmaker,  butcher,  victual- 
ler and  baker,  was  not  successful  in  business  matters. 
That  his  wife,  worn  out  with  bearing  a  large  family  of 
children,  with  grief  for  the  loss  of  many  of  them,  and  the 
care  of  the  living,  was  prostrated  by  sickness,  and  while 
unable  to  leave  her  bed,  was  called  to  surrender  even  her 
right  of  dower.  It  is  not  Wonderful  that  she  could  not 
command  the  pen  to  write  her  name.  She  died  soon 
after,  and  reposes  in  an  unknown  grave.* 

We  look  back.  She  united  with  the  church  in  the 
very  bloom  of  womanhood,  and  before  the  cares  of  the 
world  had  made  their  inroads  on  her  mind,  as  they  must 
have  done  afterwards.  It  was  done  on  a  profession  of 
faith,  therefore  deliberate.  She  could  say,  "I  knoio  my 
Eedeemerliveth."  Her  husband,  again,  yea,  twice,  mar- 
ried, and  what  property  he  had  went  to  the  children  of 
his  last  wife  by  a  former  husband,  and  his  own  children, 
if  any  lived  to  maturity,  are  totally  unknown  to  us. 

Should  this  ever  meet  the  eye  of  any  of  Abigail  Dun- 
ster's  descendants,  they  will  relieve  anxiety  by  commun- 
icating the  fact. 

From  the  records  of  the  2nd  Church  in  Cambridge,  in 
Mr.  Cooke's  own  hand,  we  learn  that  the  children  of 
Abigail*  Dunster  and  James  Cutler,  Jr.,  were 

i.     James ^  Cutler,  b.  May  30,  bap.  June  10,  1741. 

ii.  Abigail*  Cutler,  born  Sept.  22,  baptized  Oct.  3, 
1742. 

iii.  Alice*  Cutler,  born  April  16,  baptized  April  21, 
1745. 

iv.  Martha*  Cutler,  born  July  14,  baptized  July  27, 
1746. 

V.  Henry*  Cutler,  born  May  10,  baptized  May  15, 
1748. 

*It  is  stated  in  "Brief  Account  of  Families  of  Dunsters,"  be- 
fore referred  to,  in  a  later  hand  (probably  Rev  Mr.  Sewall's), 
that  Abigail  (Dunster)  Cutler  died  March  2,  1766,  at  Newton,  and 
was  buried  at  Lexington  on  the  4th.  She  certainly  was  living  in 
1773.  May  2,  1766,  her  niece,  "  Ruth  ^  Marrett,  died  at  Newton, 
and  was  buried  at  Lexington  on  the  4th. "  Was  not  she  the  one 
referred  to  in  that  interlineation? 


ISAIAH*    DUNSTER.  103 

12 

vi.  Betty ^  Cutler,  b.  April  17,  bap.  April  -12,  1750, 
jind  died  July  24,  1754. 

vii.  Sarah ^  Cutler,  born  Feb.  1,  1753,  died  July 
30,  1754. 

viii.  William^  Cutler,  b.  April  11,  baptized  April 
13,  1755. 

After  this  we  have  no  knowledge  of  the  children. 
Perhaps  the  "Abigail  Lander,"  who  signed  the  receipt 
at  settlement,  was  ii.  Abigail,^  borii  Sept.  22,  1742. 

12.  Isaiah*  Dunster,  {Henrii,^Joiiafhai),'-Hennj,^) 
was  the  fifth  child  of  Henry ^  and  Martha  (Russell)  Dun- 
ster, born  in  Cambridge,  Oct.  21,  1720,  0.  S.  In  the 
Life  of  Henry  Dunster,  p.  238,  his  birth  is  stated  to  have 
been  Nov.  1st.  There  is  really  no  discrepancy  here. 
For  many  of  the  family  records  w^e  have  been  indebted 
to  memo,  made  by  Rev.  Isaiah  Dunster  in  Family  Bibles 
and  other  papers.  After  he  was  settled  in  the  ministry, 
1748,  the  date  of  time,  style  as  it  is  called,  was  altered 
by  act  of  Parliament,  eleven  days  being  drojiped  in  Sept., 
1752,  and  thence  forward  chronology  was  designated  N". 
S.  (New  Style.)  This  occurred  while  he  was  in  active 
life,  and  he  took  the  liberty  to  alter  dates  to  correspond 
with  the  new  mode  of  reckoning.  This  was  right  as  to 
dates  following  1752,  but  altering  those  before  that  time, 
without  marking  them  X.  S.,  makes  us  liable  to  some 
confusion.  Hence  official  records  and  family  ones,  in 
some  instances,  vary  ten  or  eleven  days.  He  was  bap- 
tized in  the  First  Church,  Cambridge,  Oct.  23,  1720. 
We  have  no  knowledge  of  his  boyhood.  At  about  six- 
teen he  entered  Harvard  College,  from  which  he  grad- 
uated A.  B.,  1741,  and  A.  M.,  in  course.  He  probably 
resided  in  Cambridge,  studying  for  the  ministry  with 
Mr.  Cooke,  of  whose  church  his  father  was  one  of  the 
constituent  members.  When  about  twenty-four  years 
old,  the  neighboring  ministers  gave  him  a  recommenda- 
tion *  in  these  words: 

*  This  paper  was  carefully  kept  in  his  family  until  by  the  death 
of  his  daughter,  Hannah,  that  family  became  extinct.     It  is  now 
before  the  writer. 
*10 


104         HENRY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS   DESCENDANTS, 

12 

"These  may  certify  that  Isaiah  Dunster  Master  of 
Arts  having  given  us  satisfaction  as  to  his  Quahtications 
for  the  work  of  the  Gospel  Ministry  &  of  his  good  Dis- 
position in  that  Way  to  Serve  &  promote  the  Kingdom 
of  Christ. 

We  accordingly  heartely  recomend  him  to  that  Sacred 
Work  wherever  divine  Providence  may  call  him. 
Weston  May  14  1745 

John  Hancock 
Wm  Williams 
John  Cotton 
Nathl.  Appleton 
Warkam  Williams 
Seth  Storer 
Nicholas  Bower 
Same.  Cooke" 

He  appears  to  have  preached  as  a  candidate  for  settle- 
ment in  Sutton,  Worcester  Co.,  Mass.,  where  they  in- 
vited him  to  settle.     To  this  invitation  he  replied : 

"  Gentle3IEN  Having  I  trust  duly  considered  y^ 
Greatness  and  Importance  of  the  Work  of  y*"  Ministry 
and  the  Circumstances  of  the  Parish  in  which  you  have 
invited  me  to  Settle  &  depending  on  y"  Divine  Assistance 
I  hereby  declare  my  compliance  with  your  Call  provided 
y^  Society  think  it  reasonable  and  jjrudent  to  comply 
with  the  following  Conditions  viz 

That  immediately  after  my  Ordination  upon  my  De- 
sire you  enter  into  Bonds  upon  lawful  Interest  for  y*' 
payment  of  y^  sum  of  Four  Hundred  Pounds  Old  Tenor* 
(which  is  already  voted  as  an  Encouragement  for  my 
Settlement)  engage  to  make  up  for  y"  Depreciation  of 
money  in  Said  Sum  till  paid  and  pay  y^  Principal  as 
soon  as  you  conveniently  can.  That  at  any  time  upon 
my  Desire  you  add  y^  Value  of  One  Hundred  Pounds 
Old  Tenor  to  my  Settlement  in  such  Materials  for  Build- 
ing &  Labour  as  shall  be  most  agreeable  to  me  at  y*"  same 
prices  for  which  I  may  yn  procure  ym  for  ready  Money. 

That  you  State  the  Sum  of  Two  Hundred  Pounds  Old 

*  The  Old  Tenor  was  two-fifteenths  of  lawful  money;  so  that 
£400  would  equal  $177.78,  and  the  yearly  salary,  $88.88. 


ISAIAH*  duxstp:r.  105 

12 

Tenor  which  is  voted  for  u  yearly  Sallary  upon  the 
Produce  of  the  country  in  the  following  or  some  Such 
Method  viz 

That  you  engage  annually  to  pay  me  so  long  as  I  con- 
tinue your  Minister  such  a  sum  in  Bills  of  Public  Credit 
or  other  General  Medium  of  Trade  as  shall  bo  Sufficient 
to  purchase  as  many  Bushels  of  Indian  Corn  in  the 
month  of  May  as  Fifty  Pounds  Old  Ten""  would  have 
done  &  as  shall  be  Sufficient  to  Purchase  as  many  bush- 
els of  Eye  as  Fifty  Pounds  Old  Ten''  would  have  pur- 
chased in  the  Month  of  May  this  present  year  at  y"  Gen- 
eral Price  among  yourselves.  That  you  annually  pay 
me  Such  a  Sum  also  as  will  be  sufficient  to  purchase  in 
y"  month  of  October  as  many  pounds  of  Beef  as  Fifty 
Pounds  Old  Ten''  shall  in  y"  month  of  October  next  &  as 
shall  be  sufficient  to  purchase  as  many  pounds  of  Pork 
in  y*"  Month  of  December  as  Fifty  Pounds  Old  Ten''  will 
in  y*"  month  of  December  next  at  y*"  General  Price  in 
Worcester  After  three  years  are  expired  from  my  Ordi- 
nation y'  you  yearly  add  unto  my  Sallary  the  sum  of  ten 
Pounds  Old  Ten''  till  it  come  to  two  Hundred  and  Sixty 
Pounds  Old  Ten''  as  y'^  Money  is  now  stated.  That  if 
this  Sallary  be  insufficient  for  My  Comfortable  Support 
you  make  Such  fartlier  Additions  thereto  as  my  Neces- 
sities require  and  your  abilities  will  permit. 

Gentlemen  If  you  can  cheerfully  comply  with  these 
Conditions  it  Appears  to  me  a  Foundation  will  be  laid 
for  my  Comfortable  Maintainance.  But  if  you  think 
ym  Such  as  you  cannot  eaisly  fullfill,  I  shall  be  glad  to 
know  it. 

So  expecting  to  hear  farther  from  you  &  desiring  your 
Prayers  for  Me  y'  I  may  be  a  Vessel  of  Honour  Sanctified 
t&  fitted  for  y^  Masters  use  &  Service  &  Praying  y'  y® 
Society  may  live  in  Love  &  Peace  and  be  directed  by  y® 
Great  Head  of  y^  Church  unto  y'  which  may  be  most  for 
his  Glory  I  remain  your  Friend  &  Servt. 
■  Cambridge  Aug'  12  1746  Isaiah  Dunster 

To  Capt.  Timothy  Carter,  Mess"  Isaac  Barnard,  Josiah 
Bond,  Lieut.  Sollomon  Holm  an  &  Mess'''  Gershom  Wait 
&  Richard  Singletary  Comitte  in  Sutton  Second  Pre- 
cinct,    (to  be  communicated) " 


106         HENRY    DU]SfSTER   AND    HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

12 

These  conclitioiis  were  not  complied  with,  altliough 
great  personal  efforts  were  made,  as  the  following  sub- 
scription paper  shows,  to  induce  him  to  settle  there: 

'' Sutton  Sept  y''  1  1746 
We  the  subscribers  would  Show  our  Willenness  to 
help  forwards  the  Settlement  of  Mr.  Dunster  whome 
this  Parish  have  already  voted  a  Call  in  order  for  to  set- 
tle in  y"  Gospel  Minestry  with  us  in  order  hereto  we 
have  Set  our  Names  and  fixed  the  following  Sums  which 
we  promas  to  pay  unto  Mr  Dunster  in  work  or  material 
sutable  to  carre  on  his  Bulding  if  he  sliall  settle  with  us 
upon  his  demand  " 

(Signed  by  twenty-one  individuals,  in  sums  from  £10 
to  3  shillings,  Old  Tenor. ) 

In  March,  1747,  he  had  been  preaching  in  Dartmouth, 
Bristol  Co.,  Mass.,  for  considerable  time,  and  had  pleased 
the  church,  as  shown  by  this  letter: 

"  Mr  Dunster  Sir  I  was  yesterday  at  the  Invitation 
of  the  Second  Precinct  of  Dartmouth  over  there  to  at- 
tend their  meeting  which  was  not  only  to  Chuse  their 
Officers  for  the  year  as  the  Law  directs  but  also  to  see  if 
the  Precinct  would  Concur  the  Churches  Choice  of  your- 
self for  their  minister  &  never  any  man  could  have  a 
more  clear  &  full  vote  than  you  had  &  if  Providence 
should  so  order  that  you  should  be  otherwise  Ingaged  I 
am  afraid  they  will  never  unite  for  a  man  so  again.  I 
hope  God  will  Incline  your  heart  to  them  as  he  has 
united  their  hearts  to  yourself,  as  to  your  Settlement  & 
to  Support  you,  this  is  what  you  may  rely  upon  that  It 
will  not  bee  less  than  six  hundred  pounds  of  the  present 
currency  &  three  for  your  yearly  Salery  tho  they  were 
not  In  a  Capacity  to  run  their  votes  so  Just  now,  but 
will  soon  do  it  if  they  can  have  any  Incouragement  that 
you  will  come  to  them  the  reasons  why  they  could  not 
do  it  yesterday  the  bearer  ]\fr.  Tupper  will  render  to  you 
and  besides  the  Six  Hundred  Pound  I  think  you  may 
depend  upon  considerable  help  in  building  if  you  do 
build,  if  Ever  you  desire  to  go  to  a  place  that  the  affec- 
tions of  the  People  are  universall  to  you,  this  must  be 
It    pray  sir  if  you  are  not  Ingaged  keep  yourself  free  for 


ISAIAH*   DUNSTER.  107 

12 

them  untill  all  things  are  brought  to  your  mind  which 
if  you  will  be  so  good  as  to  let  the  messenger  know  I 
hope  It  will  be  soon  complyed  with  which  is  the  need- 
full  from  yours  to  Serve 

Timothy  Euggles 
Roch  [ester]  4th  March  1747" 

Mr.  lluggles  (H.  C,  1707,)  was  the  minister  of  Roch- 
ester, and  took  a  large  interest  in  the  settlement  of  Mr. 
D.  at  Dartmouth.  Afterwards  he  wrote  Mr.  D.  another 
letter: 

''MrDunster  Sir  yours  of  8th  present  came  Safe 
to  hand  and.  I  readily  Comply  with  your  reasonable  re- 
quest— In  order  to  it,  may  remind  you  that  Rev.  Mr 
Pierce  was  no  Great  favorite  of  the  Petition  (as  you  were 
knowing)  but  since  it  is  granted  he  is  as  far  as  I  can  find 
Intirely  Silent  I  may  add  that  at  the  request  of  a  great 
number  of  the  new  Parish  I  was  over  at  Dartmouth  at 
their  meeting — as  far  as  I  could  observe  there  was  no 
matter  of  uneasiness  Capt  Poj^e  then  &  since  has  man- 
ifested his  Intire  Satisfaction  In  the  thing — and  as  far 
as  I  can  find  those  who  were  ever  uneasy.  It  was  lest 
by  that  means  they  should  have  a  man  imposed  on  them 
by  the  church  w^hich  they  were  opposed  to  There  were 
three  men  present  at  the  meeting  who  at  first  did  not 
act  but  wiieu  the  jealosy  they  had  that  it  was  a  con- 
trivance to  bring  in  Mr  Willis  to  be  their  Minister,  was 
removed  &  the  vote  called  for  the  Parishe's  concurrance 
of  the  Church's  choice  of  yourself  they  freely  acted  but 
did  say  that  they  were  not  reconciled  to  a  maintainance 
of  a  minister  by  u'aij  of  Tax  but  were  free  to  do  their 
parts  to  the  full  with  respect  to  yourself  &  they  were 
told  that  that  should  be  all  that  they  would  require  of 
them,  after  which  I  heard  not  nor  percived  either  at 
their  meeting  or  in  any  other  way  the  least  uneasiness  & 
It  plainly  appears  to  me  that  a  year  or  two's  gentle  treat- 
ment of  the  uon  Petitioners  by  the  other  party  will  In- 
tirely erase  those  difficulties  1  have  since  I  received 
your  letter  been  over  there  occasionally  &  can  find  no- 
thing of  that  nature  nor  anything  else  that  looks  dis- 
couraging,    they  have  a  loving  desire  of  your  return  to 


108         HEXRY    DUNSTER   AND   HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

them  In  general  &  I  question  whether  they  will  look 
after  any  Body  to  preach  to  them  till  your  time  is  out  at 
Harwich  &  if  they  do  It  will  be  only  somebody  to  preach 
for  the  neighboring  ministers  &  they  to  them.  There 
are  many  things  which  might  be  urged  upon  you  as  In- 
ducements to  3"0ur  coming  to  them  again.  Submitting 
all  to  Divine  Providence  I  shall  only  ad  one  thing  In- 
stead of  many  that  might  be  said  &  that  is  They  are  In- 
tirely  united  In  yourself  &  if  you  reject  them  there  is  no 
prospect  of  their  being  so  In  another  I  am  sir  your  sin- 
cere friend  &  Humble  Servant 

Timothy  Ruggles 
Roch.  22  March  1747-8" 

The  church  in  Dartmouth  had  given  him  a  call,  and 
the  precinct  "  At  an  adjourned  meeting  of  y*  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Second  Precinct  in  Dartmouth 

Voted  on  the  Second  Article  Contained  in  the  War- 
rant that  the  Precinct  Offer  Mr  Isaiah  Dunster  Six  hun- 
dred Pounds  Old  Tenor  for  a  Settlement  to  Incourage 
him  to  Come  and  Settle  with  us  in  the  Work  of  the 
Ministry 

Also  Voted  that  Fifty  Pounds  Old  Tenor  be  added  to 
y^  former  Two  hundred  and  Fifty  Pounds  Old  Tenor 
Voted  as  a  Salary  for  Mr  Isaiah  Dunster  which  will  be 
Three  hundred  Pounds  Old  Tenor  pr.  year 

Also  Voted  that  Mr.  Quishman  be  chosen  agent  to  in- 
form Mr.  Isaiah  Dunster  what  Steps  we  have  Taken  in 
Order  to  Obtain  him  to  Settle  with  us  and  to  Get  a  Min- 
ister to  Preach  to  us  Two  Sabbaths 

Attest        Paul  Mandell 

Precinct  Clerk  " 

This  vote,  the  copy  of  which  is  written  in  a  free,  dis- 
tinct, and  very  ornamental  hand,  was  dated  after  "Dart- 
niouth,''  "  May  K)  1748,"  but  it  was  in  Rev.  I.  Dunster's 
hand.  We  think  it  was  sooner,  probably  in  April,  for 
this  is  the  copy  of  Mr.  D.'s  reply: 

"  Sir    please  communicate  this  to  y"  Committee 
Gentlemen     I  have  received  yours  of  April  15  in  which 
you  intimate  y'  your  Societies  being  unable  to  invite  me 
"to  Settle  with  them  in  y'  Ministry  sooner  than  they  did 


ISAIAH*    DUNSTEK,  109 

12 

lays  me  Under  an  Obligation  to  CompU'  with  their  Invi- 
tation. But  I  conceive  it  cloth  not  for  after  I  had  tar- 
ried near  two  months  witli  ym  purely  for  the  Sake  of 
their  formino-  Some  Scheme  for  a  Maintainance,  it  was 
thouglit  by  Several  of  their  Committee  so  improbable  y' 
y*"  Society  would  come  into  any  Peaceble  Method  y'  yy 
told  me  yy  could  not  desire  me  to  tarry  any  lono-er  with 
any  View  thereto  altlio  yy  should  l)e  glad  y'  I  would  tarry 
if  I  could  See  my  Way  Clear,  Upon  which  I  concluded 
to  leave  y"  place  »&  told  them  I  should  engage  in  any 
other  Place  y'  Presented.  This  Gentlemen  some  of  your- 
selves undoubtedly  remember.  As  to  the  Circumstances 
of  your  Society  which  are  mentioned  in  your  Letter  you 
may  depend  upon  it  I  shall  duly  consider  them  but  can- 
not give  you  any  visit  as  you  clesire  at  present  for  The 
Church  &  Congregation  in  this  place  have  given  me  an 
Invitation  to  Settle  with  them  in  y"  Work  of  y^  Ministry 
and  tis  Thought  reasonable  y*  I  i^reach  Avith  ym  until  I 
give  an  Answer  I  desire  therefore  y'  you  would  im- 
mediately apply  to  Some  Suitable  Person  to  preach  with 
you  till  then  &  remain  your  Sincere  Friend  &  Servt 

Isaiah-  Dunstee 
Harwich  )  To  Deacon  Jenness 

May  4th  1748  j  to  be  communicated" 

Although  Mr.  D.  had  given  the  people  of  Dartmouth 
so  decided  an  answer,  they  appear  still  unwilling  to  give 
him  up.  The  Kev.  Kichard  Pierce,  (H.  C,  1724,)  who 
was  the  minister  of  the  First  Parish  there,  interceded  in 
their  behalf,  and  sent  this  letter: 

"Rev.  and  Dear  Sir  I  reed  yours  Dated  May  4 
1748  in  which  you  tell  me  that  you  have  an  invitation 
to  settle  in  y*^  work  of  the  Ministry  at  Harwich  to  which 
I  say  I  am  glad  to  hear  that  you  have  met  with  such  a 
kind  reception  there  but  at  the  same  time  I  am  sorry  for 
our  misfortune  for  I  hear  you  intend  to  settle  with  them 
&  not  with  us  but  notwithstanding  all  I  hear  I  must 
beg  one  favor  of  you  and  that  is  that  you  would  not  pro- 
ceed any  farther  with  y'  Peoj^le  nor  give  them  any 
farther  encouragement  than  you  have  already  given  till 
I  have  an  opportunity  to  speak  with  you  which  I  intend 


110         HENRY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS, 

12 

to  do  with  Submission  to  Providence  on  or  before  tlie 
14th  of  this  mouth — Of  this  I  cannot  be  Denied — I  had 
almost  said  y'  I  will  not  be  Denied  of  this  favor — I  have 
liired  a  man  on  purpose  to  bring  this  Letter  to  you 
therefore  I  trust  you  will  not  deny  my  Request.  I  have 
many  things  to  say  to  you  but  am  in  y*"  utmost  hast, 
being  bound  to  "Boston  directly  and  after  my  kind 
Kespects  to  you  I  Rest  your  assured  friend 
Dart"^  June  4  1748  Richd  Pierce" 

To  this  he  replied: 

"Revd  Sir  I  have  receved  yours  of  4th  instant  by 
which  I  perceive  you  have  heard  y'  I  intend  to  settle  in 
this  Place.  How"  you  had  the  Information  I  know  not 
but  this  I  assure  you  is  Truth.  I  am  determined  at 
joresent  to  settle  in  no  Place  whatsoever  unless  a  founda- 
tion may  be  laid  for  a  suitable  Maintainance.  What  yy 
have  offered  in  this  place  for  y'  End  apeares  to  me  insuf- 
ficent  &  tis  uncertain  whether  yy  will  comply  with  a 
Sufficiency  or  not.  Hovvever  I  have  frequently  spoke  to 
some  of  y*"  Committee  &  Others  of  making  proposals  and 
should  have  done  it  tliis  week  were  it  not  for  your  Let- 
ter, for  every  thing  considered  I  see  no  Sufficient  Reason 
at  Present  why  I  should  not  Settle  in  this  place  &  y"" 
Comitte  I  am  informed  have  agreed  to  come  to  me  for 
an  Answer  this  afternoon  But  I  will  endeavor  to  con- 
vince them  y'  your  Request  to  defer  it  till  next  week 
may  Safely  be  complied  with  But  if  I  cant  prevail  with 
them  to  Consent  to  this  I  shall  make  my  proposals  for  I 
hardly  imagine  y'  there  are  any  Considerations  of  Im- 
portance to  be  suggested  relating  to  either  place  y'  I  am 
unacquainted  with.  However  a  visit  from  yourself  as 
mentioned  in  yours  will  be  exceedingly  agreeable  to  your 
Friend  &  Sevt  Isaiah  Dunster 

Harwich  June  G,  1748" 

This  correspondence  ended  the  negotiations  at  Dart- 
mouth, and  he  received,  from  the  church  and  people 
of  Harwich,  where  he  had  been  preaching,  apparently, 
for  a  year  or  so,  this  call  to  settle  with  them.  That 
from  the  church  is  in  the  handwriting  of  the  aged  Mr. 
Stone  (H.  C,  1690),  then  the  pastor  of  that  church: 


ISAIAH*   DUNSTER.  Ill 

12 

"  Sir  We  f  Chh  of  Christ  in  y''  north  part  of  Har- 
wich being  exposed  to  difficulty  in  regard  of  Gospel 
Ordinances  our  Pastor  being  far  advanced  in  years  and 
so  enfebled  as  not  to  be  able  to  goe  through  y*  Whole  of 
his  Work 

We  also  having  for  some  time  had  experience  of  your 
ministerial  qualifications  wherewith  Christ  has  furnished 
You  as  also  your  good  conversation  in  Christ  Jesus:  we 
doe  hereupon,  Sir  invite  you,  in  partnership  with  Our 
ancient  Pastor  to  take  y"  Pastoral  care  of  this  Flock; 
taking  y^  Oversight  thereof  according  to  the  Apostolicall 
command  given  in  I.  Pet.  5,  2. 

Nath*-  Stone  Pastor 
Harwich  May  with  the  joynt  concurrance 

3  1748  of  y^  Bretheren  " 

To  this  is  added,  in  Isaiah  Dunster's  handwriting: 
"  I  Pet.  5,  2  '  Feed  y  flocTc  of  God  ivliicli  is  among  you 
taking  y  oversigJif  thereof  not  by  Constraint  hut  willingly 
not  for  filthy  Lucre  hut  of  a  ready  mind.'" 

The  parish  joined  in  the  call: 

''Harwich  May  y^  3,  1748  At  a  precinct  meeting 
Leagually  warned  &  Assembled  Deacon  Mayo  Modera- 
tor Voted  to  concur  with  y*"  Church  to  give  Mr.  Isaiah 
Punster  a  Call  to  settle  with  us  in  y®  Work  of  y"  Minis- 
try Voted  also  to  give  him  Six  Hundred  Pounds  Old 
tenor  for  his  settlement  and  for  his  yearly  Sallary  three 
luindred  and  fifty  jiounds  Old  tenor  as  it  is  now  valued 
and  all  y*  other  ministerial  priviledges  except  what  is  at 
present  Eeserved  for  y''  Rev°  Mr  Stone  provided  he  Set- 
tles Avith  us  in  y"  Avork  of  the  Ministry 
A  true  copy  attest 

per  John  Snoav  Clerk" 

To  these  calls  he  replied: 

"To  Deacon  Chillingworth  Foster,  Deacon  Joseph 
Mayo  &  Thomas  Winslow  Esq  Gentlemen  Tis  disired 
y*  y*  following  Lines  may  be  communicated  to  y"  Inhab- 
itants of  y^  first  Precinct  in  Harwich 

Gentlemen  Having  duly  considered  your  invitation 
to  me  (tho  very  unworthy)  to  Settle  with  you  in  y^  Work 
11 


112         HENRY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 
12 

of  y"  Gosjiel  Ministry  I  hereby  declare  my  acceptance  of 
y''  Same  provided  a  foundation  be  laid  for  a  suitable 
maintenance.  What  you  have  projiosed  for  y'  End  ap- 
pears to  me  insufficient.  The  Settlement  I  fear  is  much 
too  small:  But  doubt  not  your  Rediness  to  make  such 
an  addition  as  is  Reasonable:  As  to  y"  Salary  I  am  not 
at  present  able  to  say  what  is  sufficient  for  I  conceive  tis 
for  your  Interest  as  well  as  my  own  y'  some  particular 
method  be  agreed  to  by  which  y*"  Salary  may  be  regulated 
yearly  and  until  this  is  done  I  know  not  what  y^  350 
which  you  have  proposed  is  equal  to.  However  I  must 
say  y'  I  know  not  of  any  method  which  tis  probable  you 
will  agree  to  which  will  render  this  sufficient.  What  I 
desire  therefore  at  present  is  y'  you  would  propose  some 
Method  to  regulate  y*"  Salary  by,  and  y"  more  particular 
&  clear  y"  more  acceptable  it  will  be  to  me  since  there 
will  then  be  a  greater  prospect  of  y®  continuance  of 
mutual  love  &  Peace  among  us  which  are  so  frequently 
inculcated  in  y*  Gospel  &  which  y*  it  may  ever  abide  in 
this  Society  is  y^  Prayer  of  your  Servant  in  y^  Gospel  of 
Christ.  "^  I,   DuNSTER. 

Har.  June  7  1748 '" 

The  difficulty  of  "regulating  the  currency"  occasion- 
ed ihein  much  trouble,  and  again  he  sent  a  communica- 
tion : 

"  To  the  Inhabitants  of  y^  first  precinct  in  Harwich: 

Gentlemen  Having  received  Information  that  you 
have  stated  the  Salary  voted  for  me  on  Silver  at  fifty 
sJiillings  pr  oz.  I  hereby  Signify  that  it  is  agreeable  to 
me  &  I  know  of  only  y^  following  Particulars  relating  to 
that  matter  which  appear  necessary  for  the  continuence 
of  Peace  viz  that  y*"  first  years  Salary  be  paid  according 
to  Silver  as  you  have  stated  it  And  if  y®  precinct  &  my- 
self should  think  differently  concerning  y"  price  of  Silver 
in  any  year  hereafter  that  my  Salary  be  paid  in  Coined 
Silver.  As  to  the  Proposal  which  I  sent  by  your  Comit- 
tee  at  your  last  Precinct  Meeting  for  your  consideration 
It  is  needless  I  concieve  to  repeat  them  since  they  must 
be  remembered  and  altho  y^  whole  of  what  I  then  pro- 
posed is  no  more  than  sufficient  for  a  comfortable  main- 
tenance as  I  concieve  or  than  was  voted  A.  D.  1710  as  a 


ISAIAII*    DUNSTER.  113 

12 

yearly  Salary  for  Rev  Mr  Stone  Yet  since  Public  Taxes 
are  likely  to  be  high  in  this  Precinct  at  present  by  Rea- 
son of  y'  War  &  for  y*  payment  of  y'  Settlement  and 
since  Providence  frowns  upon  you  as  to  y^  fruits  of  y" 
Earth  I  am  willing  to  settle  on  y^  Salary  already  voted 
provided  you  now  engage  to  add  the  value  of  fifty  pounds 
after  three  years  and  of  one  hundred  pounds  more  as 
money  is  now  stated  upon  the  Rev  Mr  Stones  decease 
and  this  to  remain  a  yearly  Salary  during  my  contin- 
uance in  the  Ministry  in  this  place.  As  to  the  Settle- 
ment I  concieve  y'  as  a  Precinct  you  may  provide  a  dwel- 
ing  House  &  Land  to  my  acceptance  for  a  less  sum  than 
I  can  Safely  accept  off  and  I  am  willing  to  tarry  in  the 
Place  nntill  you  have  oppertunity  therefor  &  desire  that 
you  would  do  it.  I  hope  these  Conditions  will  be  com- 
plied with  in  Love  &  Peace  but  if  they  are  not  I  expect 
to  be  informed  of  it  by  y^  Precinct  as  soon  as  Possible  & 
remain  Gentlemen  your  Friend  &  Sevt. 

Isaiah  Dunster. 
Harwich  June  24  1748" 

There  seems  to  have  been  still  some  difficulty  in  regard 
to  his  salary,  and  he  sent  again: 

"T.o  y^  Lihabitants  of  y"  1st  Precinct  in  Harwich 

Gentlemen"  I  am  informed  by  your  Comittee  y'  sev- 
eral among  yourselves  are  desirous  y'  I  should  make 
some  alterations  in  y"  Salary  proposed  in  my  answer  dt 
y*'  chief  Reason  is  because  y^  neighboring  ministers  have 
not  so  much  at  present.  In  answer  to  which  I  think  it 
may  be  truly  said  y'  by  far  y*"  greater  number  of  y*"  min- 
isters in  this  county  had  a  Salary  when  yy  first  settled 
which  would  have  procured  as  many  of  y^  necessaries  of 
Life  as  £500  Old  Tenor  will  do  at  present  &  if  so  that 
objection  entirely  fails. 

Tis  suggested  also  y' I  am  not  really  desirous  of  set- 
tling here  but  I  can  truly  say  I  know  of  no  Place  in 
which  I  could  more  Avillingly  settle  than  in  this. 

As  to  y'  Settlement  if  y'^  Precinct  decline  purchasing 
one  &  choose  I  should  mention  y^  sum  whicli  I  will  ac- 
cept off  I  declare  myself  contented  with  the  addition  of 
£200  Old  Tenor  to  v'  Settlement  already  voted  provided 


114         HENKY    DUNSTER  AND   HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

12 

I  can  dispose  of  it  to  my  mind  and  y^  precinct  will  allow 
me  a  reasonable  time  therefor. 

As  to  y^  Article  which  mentions  y**  payment  of  Coined 
Silver  in  case  y®  precinct  &  myself  shonld  think  differ- 
ently concerning  an  equivelent  to  y'  Salary  I  am  willing 
y^  j)recinct  should  do  anything  which  may  be  Safe  for  y® 
Precinct  &  myself. 

I  trust  Gentlemen  y'  you  will  do  y'  as  to  y"  Salary 
which  may  be  honourable  for  yourselves  &  afford  Liberty 
for  me  to  attend  y*-'  Work  of  y*"  Ministry  without  Per- 
plexity &  remain  yours 

Harwich  July  1  1748.  Isaiah  Dunster." 

This  proposition  was  complied  with  by  vote  of  the  pre- 
cinct, and  the  whole  matter  appears  to  have  been  settled. 
Still  "  specie  payment "  seemed  to  trouble  some  of  the 
parishioners,  and  on  the  29th  of  August  Mr.  D.  sent 
another  letter: 

•'  To  the  Inhabitants  of  the  first  Precinct  in  Harwich 
Gentlemen  Although  at  your  last  Precinct  meeting 
as  a  Precinct  you  fully  complied  with  the  Proposals  for 
my  Sui)port  in  y*"  Work  of  y"  Gospel  Ministry  which  were 
then  laid  before  you — yet  (as  I  am  informed)  a  consider- 
able number  are  uneasy  on  account  of  the  Salary  which 
was  then  proposed  and  complied  with,  and  therefore  I 
propose  the  following  Conditions  for  your  Consideration 
viz:  That  the  precinct  engage  Four  hundred  pounds  as 
a  yearly  Salary  for  me  at  present  and  Four  Hundred  and 
Fifty  Pounds  after  the  Revd  Mr  Stone's  Decease  to  be  & 
remain  my  yearly  Salary  during  the  time  of  my  contin- 
uance in  y''  Ministry  in  this  Place — Stated  upon  Silver  at 
Fifty  Shillings  pr.  Ounce  &  to  be  regulated  Annually  by 
y''  Current  Price  of  Silver  that  is  to  say  the  Salary  to  rise 
&  fall  from  the  sums  now  mentioned  in  proportion  as 
the  current  price  of  Silver  sliall  rise  or  fall  from  fifty 
shilhngs  pr.  ouiice  with  Merchants  in  Boston  which  (as 
I  concieve)  is  what  was  intended  by  a  vote  passed  by 
yourselves  at  a  former  meeting. 

And  if  tis  probable  that  these  Conditions  will  be  com- 
plied with  in  Love  &  Peace  or  others  which  some  in  the 
Precinct  may  propose  which  will  as  well  answer  y^  End 


ISAIAH*   DUNSTER.  115 

12 

Proposed  I  am  willing  &  desirous  that  the  vote  which 
was  passed  at  your  last  Precinct  Meeting  may  be  recon- 
sidered as  far  as  it  relates  to  y"  Salary  and  tliat  these 
conditions  may  be  lawfully  Voted  and  then  for  y"'  con- 
tinuance of  Peace  it  may  be  convenient  for  the  Precinct 
to  propose  some  Method  by  which  it  may  herafter  be 
determined  what  shall  be  esteemed  y"  current  price  of 
Silver  with  y''  Merchant  in  case  the  Precinct  &  myself 
should  think  differently  concerning  this  in  any  year 
herafter.  As  to  y^  present  year  I  coneieve  tis  just  y'  y" 
Salary  be  paid  according  to  Silver  as  you  have  already 
stated  it  for  this  was  the  current  price  of  Silver  about  y" 
time  y'  the  Precinct  gave  me  an  invitation  to  settle  in 
this  place  But  if  there  is  not  a  Prospect  that  y"  Pre- 
cinct will  comply  with  y"  conditions  above  mentioned  I 
desire  (if  y''  Precinct  think  proper)  that  I  may  speedily 
be  released  from  y''  obligations  which  I  have  any  ways 
laid  myself  under  of  Settling  in  this  Place:  for  tis  un- 
doubted y'  y  Gospel  hath  obliged  its  Professors  to  pro- 
vide a  comfortable  maintenance  for  its  Ministers  anji  I 
am  unwilling  to  accept  of  any  Salary  whatsoever  unless 
obtained  with  as  much  unanimity  as  is  usual  in  things 
of  this  nature.  I  desire  therefore  that  the  matter  may 
be  Seriously  &  Calmly  considered  &  Debated  &  pray  y' 
you  may  be  directed  unto  that  which  will  be  most  for 
your  Peace  &  Happiness  here  and  hereafter  and  remain 
your  Sincere  Friend  &  Sevt. 

Harwich  Aug  29  1748.  Isaiah  Dunster."' 

This  letter  brought  matters  to  a  crisis,  as  we  see  by  a 
memo,  made  on  the  back  of  the  letter  copied  above: 

''Ony^  31  of  Aug"  The  Precinct  at  a  meeting  pro- 
posed for  y*  consideration  of  what  might  be  laid  before 
them  by  me  after  Seriously  Considering  y^  matter  signi- 
fied by  their  Comittee  viz  Mr  Kenelon  Winslow  y'  they 
could  comply  with  y^  proposals  herin  mentioned  with  as 
much  uninimity  as  was  reasonable  to  expect  and  desired 
me  to  sign  y^  conditions  seperately  &  signify  my  accep- 
tance of  y^  same  &  yy  would  vote  them  &  record  my  let- 
ter without  Reconsidering  the  former  vote.  Accordingly 
I  wrote  y*"  first  Paragraph  in  this  letter  verbatim  &  after 
*11 


116         HENRY    DUNSTER    AXD    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

these  Avords  'which  (as  I  conceive)  is  what  was  intended 
by  a  vote  jjassed  hy  yourselves  at  a  former  meeting '  I 
added  and  if  these  Conditions  are  ComjDlied  with  with 
as  much  Uninimity  as  is  usual  in  things  of  this  Nature; 
for  y^  Sake  of  Love  &  Peace  I  declare  y'  I  am  willing  to 
settle  in  y"  work  of  y^  Gospel  Ministry  in  this  place  & 
remain  Gentlemen  your  sincere  Friend  &  Sevt. 

Harwich  Isaiah  Dunster 

Aug  31  1748" 

To  this  is  added :  "  And  the  following  method  agreed 
to  in  which  to  Eegulate  y*"  Salary  Annually  viz  Y'  The 
Precinct  Choose  one  man,  myself  another  annually  in 
ye  month  of  March  both  Inhabitants  of  this  place  of 
good  Report  &  voters  in  all  Town  affairs  to  enquire  into 
y^  Price  of  Silver  and  determine  what  y*"  Salary  shall  be 
by  y®  Price  of  Silver  in  y"  months  of  April  &  May:  &  if 
these  two  cant  agree  y'  yy  shall  Choose  another  to  assist 
them  &  a  majority  in  this  case  to  determine  y*"  Salary 
for  y'  year." 

Thus  the  long  and  tedious  negotiations,  made  neces- 
sary, perhaps,  by  the  scarcity  of  money,*  the  troublous 
times  of  the  French  war,  and  the  unharmonious  views 
of  the  people  about  his  salary,  which  could  have  been 
reconciled  only  by  their  unusual  unanimity  in  his  call, 
added  to  a  general  distrust  of  man  with  man,  which  war 
always  produces,  were  brought  to  a  close,  and  Wednes- 
day, the  2d  day  of  Nov.,  1748,  appointed  for  his  ordina- 
tion. 

A  draft  of  the  letters  missive,  in  his  handwriting,  is 
found  among  his  old  paj^ers,  which  we  copv : 

"The  Chh.  of  Christ  in  y^  north  part  of  Harwich  To 
the  first  Chh  of  Christ  in  Cambridge: — Grace,  Mercy  & 
Peace  be  multiplied  from  God  y*'  Father  &  from  his  Son 
Jesus  Christ. 

Eevd.  Hond  &  Beloved  Whereas  Jesus  Christ  our 
King  t&  Head  hath  of  his  Grace  enclined  us  Unanimously 
to  invite  Mr  Isaiah  Dunster  to  take  the  Pastoral  Charge 

*  The  next  year,  "Seventeen  cart  and  truck  loads  of  coined 
silver  and  about  ten  truck  loads  of  coined  copper"  arrived.  {Coll. 
Hist  Soc,  I.  53-58. 


ISAIAH*   DUNSTER.  117 

12 

over  us  with  our  Rev.  Pastor  (wlio  by  reason  of  age  is 
unable  to  perform  y""  whole  of  y^  ministerial  work)  and 
him  to  comply  with  this  our  invitation.  And  whereas 
we  have  appointed  Wednesday  y"  Second  Day  of  Novem- 
ber next  to  be  set  apart  for  his  Solemn  Ordination.  We 
therefore  hereby  request  &  desire  y'  your  Eevd  Elder  and 
a  Messenger  chosen  by  you  would  come  to  this  place  on 
sd  Day  to  join  with  y"  Rev  Elders  &  Messengers  of  other 
Chh's  by  us  invited,  in  all  such  Ministerial  Acts  as  y** 
work  of  such  a  Day  requires.  We  also  request  an  Interest 
in  your  Prayers  to  God  for  us  &  Commending  you  to 
God  &  his  Word  of  Grace  Subscribe  your  Brethren  in  y" 
Faith  &  Fellowship  of  v'  Gospel. 
Harwich*  Sept  G  1748" 

Thus  invested  with  the  authority  of  pastor,  he  entered 
upon  its  duties  with  the  ardor  of  a  young  minister  who 
feels  the  responsibility  of  his  position  and  the  magnitude 
of  his  call.  In  his  sermons  he  was  ''thoroughly  evan- 
gelical," yet  he  delighted  to  dwell  upon  the  practical 
duties  of  life,  and  enforced  his  instructions  with  a  grav- 
ity and  sincerity  which  carried  conviction  to  the  hearts 
of  his  hearers.  His  sermons,  especially,  in  his  early  min- 
istry, were  written  in  full,  but  later  in  life,  he  apjiears 
to  have  spoken  ex  tempore  in  the  body  of  the  sermon. 
There  are  many  fragments,  having  only  the  text,  intro- 
duction and  items  of  doctrine  to  be  illustrated,  and 
duties  to  be  applied.  Among  many  manuscript  sermons 
now  in  our  possession,  is  one  in  an  excellent  state  of 
preservation,  which  he  preached,  as  shown  by  a  memo, 
on  it,  at  "Dartmouth  July  26,  1747  P.  M.,"  and  also  at 
"  Cambridge  2nd  Church  Oct.  18th,  1747  P.  M."  This 
was  Mr.  Cooke's  church,  and  the  one  to  which  his 
father's  family  belonged,  and  which  from  1739,  the  date 
of  its  organization,  he  had  undoubtedly  attended.  He 
also  preached  it  at  "Harwich  January  31  1748  P.  M.," 
when  he  was  a  candidate  for  settlement.  The  manu- 
script is  less  than  six  inches  long,  and  is  three  and  a  half 
wide,  with  the  margins  carefully  ruled  off,  leaving  just 
three  inches  for  use.     On  these  pages,  fifteen  in  number, 

*This  Parish  was  set  off  as  a  separate  town  in  1830?  and  called 
Brewster. 


118         HENRY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

12 

(eight  leaves  in  the  MS. )  are,  on  an  average,  forty  lines, 
with  nine  words  to  a  line,  making  over  5000  words  in 
the  disconrse.  The  text,  Matthew  5,  13,  44,  45,  written 
in  full,  begins  the  second  page.  On  the  blank  page  is 
written  the  Psalms  to  be  snng,  all  taking  just  half  an 
inch  of  the  page,  thus: 


PS.  35  from  v.  13  to  end  of  2nd  ph. 
But  as  for  me  when  yy.  were  sick 
my  cloathing  yn  of  sackcloth  was 
my  soul  I  bowed  with  Fasts,  my  prayers 
did  back  into  my  bosom  pass.* 


PS.  133    3nd  Metre 
How  good  it  is  to  see 
&  how  it  pleaseth  well 
together  ev'n  in  Unity 
for  Brethren  so  to  dwell 


There  were  several  of  his  sermons  published.  He  was 
evidently  in  advance  of  his  times  in  liberality.  He  dis- 
claimed all  interference  of  the  ministry  with  civil  author- 
ity. In  a  sermon  preached  Sept.  15,  1763,  at  the  "in- 
stalment" of  Rev.  Mr.  Joseph  Green,  Jr.,  as  pastor  of  the 
First  Church  in  Yarmouth,  from  Heb.  13,  17,  he  said: 
"Altho  an  awful  Degree  of  Power  hath  been  claimed, 
and  through  various  Arts  maintained  by  some  who  are 
stiled  the  Ministers  of  Christ  yet  private  Christians  have 
no  cause  to  dread  the  Authority  which  really  belongs  to 
the  Christian  Ministry.  It  clasheth  not  with  civil  Gov- 
ernment being  so  far  from  curtailing  the  Authority  of 
the  civil  Magistrate  and  from  infringing  the  Rights  of 
private  Persons  that  ministers  are  peculiarly  obliged  to 
obey  Magistrates  in  all  lawful  Things  and  not  to  break 
in  on  the  Rights  of  private  Persons  The  Ministerial 
Authority  is  purely  Spiritual  &  Ecclesiastical  A  spirit 
of  Domination  in  the  Clergy  is  of  the  most  Pernicious 
Tendency  Now  tis  easy  to  gather  what  that  Obedience 
&  Subjection  is  which  private  Christians  are  required  to 
yield  unto  those  who  are  placed  over  tbem  in  the  Lord. 
It  respects  nothing  purely  of  a  Civil  Nature.  In  things 
relating  merely   to    Civil    Society   &   Government    the 

*Thls  is  from  a  version  in  common  use  at  that  day  of  "  The 
Psalms  of  David  in  Metre,  newly  translated  and  diligently  com- 
pared with  the  original  Text  and  former  Translations.  More 
plain,  smooth  and  agreeable  to  the  Text  than  any  heretofore. 
Allowed  by  the  Authority  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Kirk 
of  Scotland  and  appointed  to  be  sung  in  Congregations  and 
Families."     Slightly  altered  in  a  new  edition. 


ISAIAH*   DUNSTER.  119 

12 

Authority  wherewith  Ministers  are  vested,  leaves  Men 
entirely  at  Liberty." 

As  was  the  custom  of  those  clays,  passing  events  were 
fruitful  themes  of  discourse.  He  preached  in  commem- 
oration of  the  achievements  in  the  French  war  and  the 
opening  of  the  Revolution.  At  that  time  his  views 
agreed  with  the  clergy  and  people  in  general. 

In  a  MS.  sermon,  which  is  without  date,  but  wliicli  is 
endorsed  "Mr  Bascom's*  1775,"  showing  that  it  was 
preached  at  that  time,  from  Luke  IV.,  18,  19,  in  which 
he  has  underlined  "  to  set  at  Liberty  ym  yt  are  bruised," 
he  said:  "Our  Saviour  left  men  with  respect  to  their 
Civil  rights  where  he  found  y""  so  doth  Christianity 
The  Apostles  &  first  Christians  did  not  claim  any  civil 
Privileges  as  Christians.  They  obeyed  the  magistrates  in 
things  lawful  even  altho  those  magistrates  were  heathen 
and  thus  ought  Christians  in  every  age  to  do.  They 
ought  not  to  be  disturbers  of  y^  peace  but  exemplary  in 
obeying  laws  &  magistrates  of  y*  country  to  which  they 
belong  so  far  as  those  magistrates  are  the  ministers  of 
God  for  good  to  their  People. 

But  doth  it  thence  follow  that  tis  agreeable  to  Chris- 
tianity y'  the  followers  of  Christ  should  never  find  fault 
with  nor  oppose  their  Rulers?  By  no  means.  If  Kings, 
if  Rulers,  if  Magistrates  enact  Laws  which  are  not  just, 
which  are  not  for  y"  good  of  y*  People  in  General  it  is 
Sinful  to  obey  ym.  If  y^  Authority  under  which  I  am, 
becomes  Tyrannical,  If  y"  Great  Men  make  it  their  chief 
Design  to  oppress  y®  common  P. pie,  I  know  no  Law  of 
God  which  can  justify  me  in  submitting  to,  or  joining 
with  them  therein.  If  instead  of  being  a  Terror  to  Evil 
Doers  magistrates  encourage  them  they  are  yn  not  y* 
ministers  of  God  for  Good  but  y"  Instruments  of  y^  Evil 
One  and  ought  by  all  prudent  methods  to  be  opposed 
and  resisted.  To  submit  to  such  things  and  much  more 
to  countenance,  to  encourage,  to  plead  for  ym  is  to  deal 
unjustly,  to  do  what  y^  Gospel  absolutely  forbids.  Let 
us  all  stand  up  for  our  rights,  but  at  y*"  same  time  let  us 
not  speak  evil  or  opjiose  any  Authority  which  is  of  God 
when  duly  administered." 

*Mr.  Bascomb  (H.  C,  1768,)  was  minister  at  Eastham. 


120         HENRY    DUNSTER   AND   HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

12 

Among  his  papers  found  at  Pembroke,  is  an  original 
Declaration  of  Independence. 

The  council  of  the  "  Province  "  of  Massachusetts  or- 
dered, July  17,  177r),  "a  copy  sent  to  the  Ministers  of 
every  Denomination  within  this  State*  and  that  they 
severally  be  required  to  read  the  same  to  their  respective 
Congregations  as  soon  as  divine  Service  is  ended  in  the 
afternoon  on  the  first  Lord's  Day  after  they  shall  have 
received  it." 

This  Declaration  is  directed,  "  Revd.  Mr.  Dunster, 
Harwich."  There  is  not  a  doubt  that  he  read  it  from 
the  pulpit,  and  from  the  very  paper  now  before  me. 

Mr.  D.  was  a  close  student  and  a  good  classical  scholar. 
To  the  numerous  notes  made  by  President  Dunster  in  an 
interleaved  book,  "A  Concent  of  Scriptvre,"  which  has 
come  doAvn  through  the  family  to  the  present  time,  and 
from  which  tlie  photograph  fac-simile  which  precedes 
this  record  of  the  Dunster  family  was  taken,  he  added  a 
number  of  additional  ones. 

He  possessed,  in  a  remarkable  degree,  a  vigor  of  intel- 
lect and  clearness  of  perception  which  well  fitted  him 
for  his  station,  but  had  not  what  at  this  day  would  be 
called  "brilliant  talents,"  fitted  to  shine  as  an  eloquent 
orator,  capable  of  captivating  the  extravagant  enthusiasm 
of  a  fashionable  audience.  His  judgment  was  solid, 
mature,  deliberate,  and  weighty,  and  his  position  among 
his  cotemporaries  appears  to  have  been  an  honorable 
one.     He  Avas  genial,  and  at  times  even  humorous. 

Among  his  papers  is  found  an  amorous  production, 
written  in  a  fine  and  distinct  hand  which  characterized 
liis  early  manuscripts,  containing  1200  w^ords,  or  more, 
in  eighty-five  lines,  on  a  single  page  of  paper  six  by 
twelve  inches.  We  think  it  must  have  been  written  for 
his  own  amusement,  as  a  trial  of  skill  in  composition, 
perhaps  in  his  college  days.  It  is  introduced  by  a  quota- 
tion from  Ovid's  Pastoral  Elegy  on  the  death  of  t)elia, 
and  i)roceeds,  sometimes  in  his  own  poetry,  to  enumerate 
the  endearing  charms  which  delighted  his  imagination, 
until  he  had  exhausted,  as  it  would  seem,  the  terms  of 

*  Was  this  the  first  time  tlie  word  State  was  used  instead  of  Bay  f 


ISAIAH*    DUNSTEK.  121 

12 

blandiloquence  with  the  fascination  of  "  Dear  Maddam  " 
to  whom  it  is  addressed. 

He  was  often  entrusted  with  the  settlement  of  estates 
and  other  business,  which  he  did  with  a  minuteness  of 
accounts  which  appears  almost  ridiculous.*  In  an  old 
account  book  is  the  entry,  "  Edward  Clark  cut  of  y  Oak 
&  Eastern  wood  all  except  6  feet  cut  by  myself." 

This  was   wood  voted  by  the  parish,   1788,   for   his 

*A  reason  for  this  exactness  may  perhaps  be  found  in  the 
annoyance  to  which  Rev.  Henry  Dunster,  his  great  grandfather, 
had  been  subjected  by  the  lawsuits  which  John  Glover,  his  step- 
son, had  instituted  for  the  "  recovery  of  property  alleged  to  be 
in  the  possession  of  Mr.  D."  This  matter  is  referred  to  by  Dr. 
Chaplin  (;).  209,  Life  H.  D.).  There  are  fourteen  writs  recorded 
in  Middlesex  County  about  it. 

In  the  language  of  a  letter  from  Joseph  Willard  to  Librarian 
Harris,  1854,  now  on  file  at  Harvard  College,  "This  controversj' 
was  somewhat  angry.  It  had  been  continued  in  one  form  or 
another  for  some  years.  It  had  become  complex,  and  every  day 
it  became  more  difficult  of  adjustment.  It  was  a  misfortune,  re- 
sulting perhaps  incidentally  from  the  early  marriage  of  Dunster 
with  '  Josse's '  widow,  that  no  executor  or  administrator  of  the  es- 
tate in  this  country  had  ever  been  appointed,  and  Dunster  went  on 
rather  more  trustingly  than  wisely,  not  with  the  wisdom  of  a 
business  man.  I  find  no  reason  to  suppose  that  the  charges 
against  Dunster  to  which  I  have  alluded  were  sustained  by  any 
evidence." 

In  the  course  of  litigation,  Mr.  D.  was  required  to  file  a  "bill 
of  particulars,"  to  which  he  replied  that  the  court  required  an 
impossibilitj^  "  for  how  should  your  petitioner,  unless  a  Joseph 
or  a  Daniel,  give  an  account  of  a  Gentleman's  estate  dead  above 
16  years  agoe,  whom  nor  whose  estate  he  never  knew."  Presi- 
dent D.  had  taken  care  of  all  the  five  children,  giving  the  eldest 
a  college  education,  and  declared  his  willingness  to  give  a  faith- 
ful and  fatherly  account  to  the  full  content  of  the  two  children 
that  have  not  fully  received  their  childs'  portion.  The  claims 
were  settled  by  referees,  who  reduced  them  from  £1447  to 
£117,  "leaving  £57  to  be  further  cleared  by  sd  Hemy."  Dan- 
forth,  Mr.  Glover's  lawyer,  seems  to  have  kept  that  for  his  fee. 

Rev.  Isaiah  Dunster  must  have  known  of  this  trouble,  and 
seems  to  have  accounted  for  eveiything,  however  small,  to  avoid 
a  like  difficulty.  Some  of  the  descendants  of  Mr.  D.  appear  to 
have  taken  the  other  extreme,  and  forbid  the  appraisal  of  any  of 
their  estates. 

To  the  will  of  President  D.,  which  was  dated  Feb.  8,  (not  18, 
as  on  page  16,)  an  inventor}^  of  his  estate  was  annexed  bj^  his  ex- 
ecutors, whicli  was  particular  even  to  the  baby's  wardrobe,  some 
little  things  being  called  by  a  name  not  now  fashionable. 


122        HENKY   DUNSTER  AND   HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

12 

use.     He  appears  to  have  been  always  active,  and  for 
many  years  dealt  in  merchandise. 

To  show  the  mixing  up  of  spiritual  and   temporal 
things  of  that  day,  we  transcribe  a  letter  and  bill  dated 

"  Charlest'n  Dec  31  1759 
Sr.  Yours  of  Nov"'  23  and  Dec'  12  have  receved  and 
should  have  answered  sooner  had  it  not  been  for  the 
afflicting  Stroke  of  Divine  Providence  in  taking  away 
our  Eldest  Son  I  pray  God  it  may  be  Sanctified  unto 
us  for  our  everlasting  Good  have  Sent  jjr.  Sears  the 
Tea,  Cups  &  Saucers  and  Allspice  have  neither  Brown 
Bowles  nor  Powder  Sugar  or  would  have  Sent  them  I 
remain  yr  Jilost  H.  Servant  Isaac  Foster 

20  lbs  of  Tea  at  50s.  50 

12  Doz  Cups  &  Saucers  at  7s.  6d.         4  10 
12  lbs  Allspice  at  7s.  6d.  4  10 


O.d  T.nd  59 

By  Cash  of  Capt  Sears,  50 


O.d  T.nd  9 

To  Keverend   Mr.    Isaiah    Dunster  at   Harwich   pr. 

Sears." 

He  owned  a  large  landed  estate,  the  boundary  of  one 
tract  of  which,  in  Yarmouth,  began  at  the  "  Fox  Hole.'' 
He  took  a  large  interest  in  the  education  of  children, 
and  delighted  to  assist  in  imparting  personally  lo  them 
the  benefits  of  knowledge. 

His  popularity  among  the  people  may  perhaps  be 
measured  by  the  number  of  marriages  he  solemnized, 
for  young  people  love  to  be  married  by  a  popular  minis- 
ter. He  had  been  ordained  but  a  few  days,  when  Moody 
Howe  and  Hannah  Sears  presented  themselves  and  were 
joined  in  wedlock,  and  paid  a  fee  of  one  pound,  lawful 
money ;  and  he  has  recorded  three  hundred  and  ninety- 
five  more  couple  married  during  his  ministry,  with  a  fee 
of  six  shillings,  as  a  general  rule,  whicli  is  equal  to  one 
dollar.  Mr.  Samuel  Cobb  paid  £3  10s.  for  being  united 
to  Mrs.  Sarah  Bangs.     Many  of  the  marriages  in  1776 


ISAIAH*    DUNSTER.  123 

12 

to  1778  are  marked  p.,  which  probable  means  paper — 
** Continental  money"' — which  was  then  at  a  large  dis- 
count, though  the  nominal  fee  was  not  increased.  In 
the  summer  of  1778  two  are  marked  ^'  G  shillings  silver." 
The  lowest  fee  is  two  shillings — equal  to  33|  cents — 
paid  by  Joseph  Eobbins  and  Desire  Ham,  Indians,  of 
whom  he  married  several  couple,  they  paying  from  two 
shillings  upward,  to  James  Oliver,  who  married  Hope 
Ralph,  and  paid  the  usual  dollar.  Mingo  Eoney  paid 
3s.  7d.  for  the  hand  of  Zilpha  Cuffey. 

His  library,  to  which  that  of  Eev.  Mr.  Dennis'  was 
added,  was  a  large  one  for  those  days,  and  valuable  as 
historic  records.  Mr.  Barry,  a  historian  of  Massachu- 
setts, who  had  a  large  part  of  it,  says  he  has  seen  many 
specimens  of  his  poetry,  and  they  are  creditable  evi- 
dences of  his  skill  in  that  department  of  literature.  He 
also  mentions  many  commendable  traits  in  his  character. 

Yet,  there  was  a  scandal.  Ministers  even  now  do  not 
all  escape.  A  negro  servant  [there  were  never  any 
slaves  in  Massachusetts  ! — Anti- Slavery  statement]  tied 
ujD  to  a  tree  in  the  Bay  State  and  whi^jped  !  That  con- 
venient myth  "Somebody  told,"  —  Mehetebel  Clark 
"sizzled"  on  Lord's  day.  Susannah  Bangs  and  Mrs. 
Bloomer  blowed  the  story.  The  good  people  down  on 
the  Cape  were  dismayed.  The  official  report,  found 
among  his  old  papers,  reads: 

"Whereas  I  the  Subscriber  to  diverse  Persons  have 
represented  y^  Conduct  of  y*  Eev.  Mr.  Dunster  as  bar- 
barous &  Cruel  to  his  Negro  Servant  on  y*  19th  Day  of 
July  last,  saying  y*  I  saw  sd  negro  tied  ujd  to  a  tree  so  y' 
she  could  not  touch  anything  but  by  y^  ends  of  her  Toes  ; 
&  represented  it  y*  she  was  cruelly  whipped  by  her  Mas- 
ter (having  received  this  account  from  others)  all  of 
which  I  now  am  fully  Convinced  was  false  altho  I  verily 
believed  it  to  be  true  when  I  said  it  and  am  now  fully 
convinced  y'  sd  negro  was  not  used  or  corrected  by  her 
Master  with  any  Undue  Severity — Whereas  I  reported 
some  or  all  of  these  things  on  y^  Lords  Day  following  to 
Mrs.  Bleamour  &  Mrs.  Susannah  Bangs  near  y*  Widow 
Bangs'  House  at  Xoon  imidiately  after  I  came  from  y" 
12 


124        HENRY   DUNSTEE   AND   HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

12 

Lords  Table:  &  to  diverse  Persons  in  My  own  House 
between  y*"  Sacriment  &  y*"  Afternoon  Service  &  to  other 
Persons  &  at  other  Times  without  ever  informing  Mr. 
Dunster  of  any  uneasiness  on  my  mind  toward  him  By 
which  means  his  character  Suffers  as  I  am  informed  in 
this  &  y"  Neighboring  Towns. 

I  am  sensible  y*  my  Conduct  therein  was  very  un- 
christian &  Injurious  to  Mr.  Dunster  &  to  y^  Interest  of 
Religion  &  I  Sincerely  ask  y"  forgiveness  of  God,  Mr. 
Dunster  &  of  all  others  to  wm  I  have  given  offence  & 
hope  by  the  grace  of  God  y'  for  y^  time  to  come  my  Con- 
duct will  be  more  agreeable  to  y"  Gospel  &  particularly 
y*  I  shall  never  Spread  an  Evil  Report  to  y^  Disadvantage 
of  any  Person  before  I  have  in  y*"  first  Place  taken  Pains 
to  inform  them  of  it. 

Harwich  Aug''  27  1777  Mehetebel  Clark 

Signed  in  Presence  of  us 

Joseph  Snow 

Joseph  ISTye." 

In  the  back  end  of  an  old  account  book,  written  up- 
side down  in  a  hand  not  his  own,  is  this  entry: 

"Received  of  Mr  Isaiah  Dunster  one  Guinney  if  taken 
I  the  Subscriber  are  to  have  the  whole  of  the  money  Iff 
not  taken  to  Deliver  the  Whole  of  the  Neat  Proceeds  to 
Sd  Dunster     as  witness  my  hand 

April  6  1779.  Joshua  Winslow." 

We  know  not  what  the  stake  was  about,  but  if  it  re- 
lated to  the  taking  of  Charleston,  S.  C,  then  besieged 
by  the  British  army,  Joshua  lost  his  "Guinney." 

Isaiah*  Dunster  was  twice  married.  The  record  of 
his  whole  family  is  taken  from  his  Family  Bible, 
and  is  written  by  himself  to  the  birth  of  his  fifth 
daughter,  inclusive.  The  record  is  introduced  by 
the  statement  that  "Henry  Dunster,  President  of 
Harvard  College  N.  England  came  from  Old  England 
about  y'  year  1638.  He  was  y'  son  of  Henry  Dunster  & 
left  behind  him  in  Old  England  his  father  &  two  Broth- 
ers. The  children  of  this  President  were  I.  Henry  who 
returned  to  England  &  as  y*"  family  tradition  is  died 


ISAIAH*   DUNSTER.  125 

12 

without  Issue,  a  Lawyer  in  Greys  Inn,  and  Jonathan 
who  died  at  Charlestown  about  y®  year  1737,  whose 
cliildren  were  I.  Henry  y®  father  of  Martha  Dixon  Mary 
Marret  Abigail  Cutter — Isaiah  y^  writer,  Henry  who  died 
childless  &  Jason  who  hatli  several  children  now  living, 
1765." 

It  was  tills  introduction  that  misled  many  who  sought 
the  record  of  President  D.  and  his  posterity,  to  which 
allusion  has  been  made. 

He  then  proceeds:  '^Isaiah  Dunster  born  at  Cam- 
bridge Nov.  1,  1720  N.  S.  ordained  at  Harwich  Nov.  2, 
1748."  "Hannah  Dennis  born  at  Yarmouth  Oct.  15. 
1730  N.  S.  married  at  Yarmouth  May  26,  1750  N.  S." 

She,  Hannah  Dennis,  was  the  daughter  of  R-ev.  Josiah 
and  Abigail  ?  Dennis.  He,  Josiah  Dennis,  graduated  at 
Harvard  College,  1723,  and  though  the  poorest  scliolar 
of  the  class  became  a  useful  and  prominent  minister  in 
Yarmouth.  He  gave  the  right  hand  of  fellowsliip  at  the 
installation  of  Joseph  Green,  at  which  Rev.  Isaiah  Dun- 
ster preached  the  sermon. 

Among  Mr.  Dennis'  classmates  were  Samuel  Mather, 
Samuel  Willard,  John  Collender  and  Habijah  Weld.* 

*Hal)ijah  Weld  settled  in  Attleboro,  Mass.,  1727.  He  was 
rigidly  precise  in  everytliing;  not  a  bed  was  made  or  a  room 
swept  on  the  Sabbath,  and  the  food  for  that  day  was  prepared  on 
Saturday.  He  married  Mary  Fox,  of  Woburn,  by  whom  he  had 
fifteen  children — eleven  daughters,  who  were  not  allowed  to  en- 
tertain company  after  nine  o'clock.  They  mostly  married  minis- 
ters. He  had  a  slave  whom  he  used  to  send  with  presents  to  the 
poor  of  the  parish  who  had  entertained  him.  "  Bristol  "  used  to 
say  on  delivering  the  gifts,  "  Master  always  sends  the  best  chicken 
to  thank  folks  for  a  dry  crust. "  Mr.  W.  felt  the  wrong  of  slavery, 
and  offered  Bristol  his  freedom,  but  he  indignantly  replied  that 
he  "had  done  nothing  to  merit  such  an  act  from  his  master,  and 
if  anybody  had  got  to  be  turned  away,  the  geese  and  the  sheep 
and  not  himself  were  the  ones  to  go."  {Annals  Ain.  Pulpit,  p.  353.) 

He  built  the  house  for  a  parsonage  where  the  writer  now  lives. 
On  removing  the  chimney  (about  ten  feet  square),  filled  in  solid, 
having  a  fire-place  eight  feet  long,  and  an  oven  that  would  have 
done  for  a  western  barbacue,  a  fragment  of  a  gi'ave  stone,  having 
the  inscription,  "  Samuel  Weld  167 — ,"  surmounted  by  a  hideous 
face  adorned  with  wings,  was  found;  also  a  brick  having  the  im- 
pression of  the  foot  of  a  goose.  Neither  Bristol  or  the  geese  were 
turned  away.     The  house,  large  for  those  days,  is  framed  and 


126         HENRY    DUNSTER   AND   HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

12 

From  this  marriage,  after  thirteen  years,  "their  first 
child  a  Daughter  named  Martha  was  born  Friday  2  of  y*^ 
clock  A.  M.  Oct  7,  1763  N.  S." 

"Hannah  (Dennis)  Dunster,"  wife  of  Rev.  I.  D., 
"  died  May  22  1766  after  about  4  months  languisliment 
being  satisfied  with  Life  and  in  a  Comfortable  Hope  of 
a  better. " 

boarded  with  oak,  filled  between  the  boarding  and  plastering 
with  brick  laid  in  mortar,  and  covered  with  clapboards  split  from 
the  logs,  and  fastened  with  wrought  nails  made  in  better  style 
than  those  Stephen  Burroughs  says  he  made  while  serving  out  his 
time  in  prison.  There  is  a  tradition  that  Stephen,  in  pursuit  of 
his  calling,  waited  on  Mr.  AVeld,  by  whom  he  was  asked  to 
preach.  Of  course  he  did  not  decline.  On  Monday,  Eunice,  the 
youngest  daughter,  invited  her  lady  friends  to  call  and  be  intro- 
duced to  the  brilliant  young  minister  who  had  captivated  her 
heart.  They  came,  and  were  delighted.  It  was  proposed  to 
visit  a  pear  tree  then  loaded  with  ripe  fruit.  The  pears  lying  on 
the  ground  being  exhausted,  it  was  suggested  that  he  climb  the 
tree  for  more.  He  accepted.  Removing  his  well  black-balled 
boots,  Eunice  perceived  they  contained  no  stockings.  He  was 
not  invited  to  stay  that  night  even  till  nine  o'clock.  He  left — but 
not  without  stealing  some  of  the  old  gentleman's  sermons  to  set 
up  business  elsewhere. 

Part  of  a  letter  found  among  papers  of  Isaiah  D. ,  no  doubt  sent 
to  Mr.  Dennis,  is  inti'oduced  to  show  the  "  doings"  at  College. 

"  Boston  December  17  1728 
Rev  Sir  After  respects  I  would  just  manifest  to  you  a  sence 
of  my  love  &  regards  by  a  line  or  two  though  you  account  it  not 
worth  while  to  write  or  come  to  see  me  or  anything  of  yt  nature 
wn  perse  nally  so  near  as  Boston  *  *  *  Give  my  service  to 
Col  John  Paddock  &  tell  him  my  study  of  Physick  will  be  no 
damage  to  his  brother  if  he  makes  a  doctor  of  him  and  conmiend 
suitable  respects  to  all.  *  *  *  *  Its  like  you  hear  of  tran- 
sactions at  College  yt  is.  A  great  though  not  a  good  number  of 
scholars  found  out  to  have  stole  geese  &  a  turkey  and  roguery 
beside,  your  classmate  Bosson  is  one  of  the  worst  its  said  Mr 
Walters  son  of  Roxy  is  sent  home.  Sir  Lovel  Senr  and  many 
under  graduates  with  ym  were  only  some  punished  10  s  and  some 
admonished.  Frost  the  head  of  a  class  degraded  3rd  Iniquity 
abounds  and  the  College  is  full  of  sin    *    *    * 

David  Hall." 

Frost  was  restored.  He  was  a  classmate  of  Solomon  Page, 
who  married  Dorothy  Dunster.  "Sir"  Lovel  probably  relented 
his  conduct,  and  graduated  1728.  Mr.  Walters'  son  got  back, 
and  graduated  1729,  and  made  a  minister. 


MAKTHA*    DUNSTER.  127 

12 

Martha*  Dunster,  {Isaiah,*  Henry, ^  Jonatlum,^ 
Ilenry,^)  lost  her  mother  when  about  three  years  old, 
but  she  appears  to  Ivxve  been  well  eared  for  by  her  step- 
mother. In  addition  to  the  tuition  given  by  her  father 
and  common  schools,  she  was  sent  to  school  at  Barn- 
stable. Tlie  property  of  her  grandfather,  Josiah  Den- 
nis, who  died  1762,  went  to  his  daughters,  Jane  and 
Abigail.  It  was  mutually  agreed  by  Isaiah  Dunster,  his 
wife,  Hannah,  and  Abigail  and  Jane  Dennis,  who  were 
then  "singte  women,"  that  the  property  of  their  father, 
Josiah  Dennis,  should  be  equally  divided  between  those 
three  daughters,  without  regard  to  his  will.  One  of 
these  aunts  died  before  1767,  and  by  her  will  her  prop- 
erty was  given  to  Martha*  Dunster,  and  Martha's  father 
was  made  her  guardian.  He  took  out  letters,  Aug.  11, 
1767,  and  then  "  pd  cash  to  y*  Judge  2s.  &  Do.  pd  Reg- 
ister 3s"  L.  M.;  and  on  the  19th,  charges  'H  a  ^^y  at 
Nobscusset  to  view  y^  Library  &  take  delivery  thereof 
and  Patty's  Legacy  in  her  Aunt  Abigail's  will."  He 
took  a  minute  account  of  all  the  goods,  and  a  catalogue 
of  the  library,  which  was  for  that  time  large  and  valu- 
able, mostly  of  religious  publications,  among  which  was 
a  copy  of  the  Xew  England  Psalm  Book.  To  that  item 
he  has  added  "worn  out  by  Martha."  In  the  list  of 
wearing  apparel,  which  was  exceedingly  extensive,  was 
''2  pair  Leather  Gloves  used  by  Martha  1774  wn  at 
school  in  Barnstable."  "  1  pr  womans  Mitts  1773  "  "2 
pr  do.  used  by  sd  minor  1775."  ''13  shifts  (numbered 
seriatim  of  which  the  11  &  12  were)  used  by  Martha 
1775." 

There  is  also  a  list  of  ''Things  Taken  out  of  the  In- 
ventory of  the  goods  of  Mrs.  Jane  Dennis  and  out  of  the 
acct  of  y'=  Legacy  of  Mrs.  Abigail  Dennis  to  Martha 
Dunster  and  put  into  y®  trunk  with  her  mothers  Cloath- 
ing  among  which  are  3  Gold  Rings,  1  pr  Gold  Buttons, 
1  Gold  Necklace,  old  Gold,  ^  Doz  large  Silver  Spoons, 
Silver  Tea  Tongs,  Silk  Damask  Gown,  1  Silver  Por- 
ringer, Yellow  Silk  Quilted  Coat,  a  flowered  Apron 
(yellow  silk),  and  a  Gauze  Curtain  turned  into  an  apron 
for  Martha's  wear." 

There  were  also  "a  Brown  Taffitee  Gown,  best  Chinee 
*13 


128         HENET    DUNSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

12 

Gown,  another  Chinee  Gown,  a  Eed  Calimanco  Gown,  a 
Crape  Gown,  a  plaid  Gown,  a  striped  Gown,  a  Silk 
Damask  Gown,  Best  Chinee  Gown  A.  D.  [Abigail  Den- 
nis] a  black  Crape  Gown,  a  striped  Linen  Gown,  a  Red 
White  &  Blue  Gown,  a  pale  Blue  Camlet  Gown,  a  man's 
Gown,  and  a  'Full  suit  of  Black  Pady-osway.'"  Some 
of  these  were  "Reserved for  Martha,"  others  sold.  The 
Padijosway  suit  bringing  six  dollars.  Six  yards  of  Red 
Quality  were  sold  to  a  squaw  ''for  7  pence  1  farthing; 
to  Aunt  Howe  an  old  tea  cup  &  2  saucers  1  shilling; 
Rev.  Nathan  Stone  an  old  meet  barrell  Is  2d  1  farthing; 

5  old  maps  much  tattered  but  sold  Jany  7  1773  to  Aaron 
Crowell  for  white  Leather  to  y®  value  of  3  shillings;  'a 
pillow  case  &  remnants.'  N.  B.  These  Remnants  Avere 
put  &  sold  with  y*"  Gowns  yy  belouged  to  so  far  as  y' 
could  be  known,  so  y'  one  Avay  or  other  y^  minor  hath 
the  benefit  of  ym  except  remnant  of  Calimanco  used  by 

6  charged  to  y*"  child."  Thus  he  accounted  for  every 
article  except  a  few  books  lent  and  not  returned,  and  a 
"  cheese  press  left  at  Nobscusset."  A  receipt  was  taken 
for  them. 

"Haewich  Sept  22  1785 
Then  received  of  Isaiah  Dunster  by  us  the  subscribers 
the  sum  of  Fifty  three  pounds  thirteen  shillings  &  nine 
Pence  which  with  what  Ave  have  formerly  received  is  in 
full  of  all  demands  from  him  as  guardian  to  Martha 
Foster  formerly  Martha  Dunster. 

James  Fostee. 
Maetha  Fostee." 

Martha^  Dunster  married  Dr.  James  Foster,  of 
Rochester,  Mass.  The  date  of  this  marriage  has 
not  been  obtained.  Nothing  further  was  known 
of  her  family,  except  on  a  little  scrap  of  paper 
was  written,  "Dr.  James  Foster  Died  1811  30th  of 
June."  "Dr.  Josiah  Dennis  Foster  Died  Aug.  11th 
1812  at  Detroit."  "Dr.  Isaiah  Dunster  Foster  Died 
April  7th  1813  at  Montagues  on  the  river  Rajipahan- 
nock,  Virginia." 

A  letter  addressed  to  the  "  Oldest  Physician  "  in  Roch- 
ester, Mass.,  was  responded  to  as  follows: 


MAETHA^  DUNSTER  FOSTER.  139 

12 

"  Rochester,  Aug.  2,  1872. 
My  Dear  Sir:  Dr.  James  Foster  was  a  teacher  of 
mine,  and  I  was  intimate  witli  the  family.  The  record 
in  your  letter  [copied  above]  of  the  deaths  of  his  sons  I 
think  is  correct.  Neither  of  them  were  married,  and 
they  have  no  connections  in  this  town. 
Respectfully  yours, 

Joseph  Haskell." 

A.  second  letter  was  also  answered: 

"  Rochester,  Aug.  30,  1872. 
To  Saml.  Dunster, — My  Dear  Sir:  Dr.  James 
Foster  and  Martha,  his  wife,  never  had  but  two  children, 
both  born  in  Rochester,  Mass.  There  was  but  one  Dr. 
James  Foster.  Dr.  Josiali  Dennis  Foster,  their  eldest 
son,  was  born  Feb.  24,  1784;  Dr.  Isaiah  Dunster  Fos- 
ter, Feb.  2d,  1791.  Neither  of  these  sons  were  ever 
married.  Dr.  James  Foster  was  a  good  physician,  and 
well  beloved.  He  was  not  very  well  calculated  to  meet 
the  trials  of  this  life,  and  depended  very  much  on  the 
energy  and  good  judgement  of  his  wife,  who  was  a 
Superior  Lady.  Tilly  Foster  liked  to  spend  money,  but 
had  but  little.  He  tried  all  he  could  to  get  the  funds 
from  his  brother,  James,  but  this  Mrs.  Foster  prevented 
in  a  great  measure  during  her  life.  After  Mrs.  Foster's 
death,  Tilly  succeeded  in  obtaining  a  good  deal  of  his 
brother's  property,  which  Dr.  James  lost  entirely,  causing 
him  to  become  partially  deranged,  which  ended  in  his 
committing  suicide  in  1812  or  13,  I  think.  Nathan 
Willis,  of  this  town,  settled  his  estate,  which  was  render- 
ed insolvent.  The  good  Doctor  never  had  even  a  tomb- 
stone.    *     *     *     *  Very  truly  yours, 

Jos.  Haskell." 

Rev.  L.  R.  Paige,  D.  D.,  of  Cambridgeport,  said,  Oct. 
19,  1872,  that  when  Dr.  Foster  was  buried  the  funeral 
procession  was  over  a  mile  and  a  quarter  long.  He  also 
remarked  that  he  had  a  letter  from  a  brother  in  which 
the  death  of  Josiali®  Dennis  Foster  was  announced. 

"Martha^  Dunster  Foster  died  Dec.  19,  A.  D. 
1808,"  leaving  only  those  two  sons.     Both  died  unmar- 


130         HENRY    DUNSTER   AND   HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

12 

ried.  Both  were  doctors.  Were  they  surgeons  m  the 
war  of  1812?  It  is  understood  that  Dr.  James  Foster 
erected  a  suitable  monument  over  his  wife's  grave  prior 
to  his  unhappy  end. 

The  record  in  Eev.  I.  Dnnster's  Bible,  after  the  death 
of  his  first  wife,  continues: 

"  Mary  Smith  born  at  Yarmouth  May  29  1735  N.  S.* 
man-ied  Isaiah  Dunster  Nov.  13  1766  at  Pembroke." 

"Their  first  child  a  daughter  named  Hannah  born 
Friday  Feb.  26  at  5  of  the  clock  A.  M.  1768." 

"  Their  second  daughter  Judith  Miller  born  Wednes- 
day Dec.  6  1769  between  12  &  1  of  the  clock  A.  M." 

"  Their  third  Daughter  Mary  born  Lord's  Day  May 
17  1772  at  3  oclock." 

"Their  Fourth  Daughter  Catherine,  Born  Tuesday 
March  1st  1774  between  5  &  6  oclock  P.  M." 

"Their  fifth  Daughter  Abigail,  born  Monday  July  29 
3  of  y*  clock  in  the  morning  1775." 

This  ends  the  record  written  by  himself.  The  precis- 
ion as  to  the  hour  of  their  birth  seems  to  indicate  a 
lingering  regard  for  the  "aspect  of  the  heavens  claimed 
by  Astrology  over  the  destiny  of  the  little  one  who  makes 
its  advent  at  that  time. 

The  record,  written  by  other  hands,  concludes: 

"The  Revd  Isaiah  Dunster  died  Jany  18—1791  after 
a  short  and  distressing  sickness." 

"  Mrs.  Mary  Dunster  died  Dec.  23  1796  after  8  days 
sickness." 

"Martha  Foster  died  December  19  A.  D.  1808." 

"Catherine  Dunster  died  May  1  A.  D.  1811." 

"Abigail  Dunster  died  May  13  1816." 

"Judith  M.  Dunster  Died  March  22  1843." 

"Mary  Dunster  died  April  27th  1850." 

"Hannah  Dunster  Died  May  9  1853." 

*She  was  the  daughter  of  Rev.  Thomas  Smith,  (H.  C,  1730,) 
of  Pembroke. 


ISAIAH*   DUNSTER.  131 

12 

Over  the  grave  of  Isaiah  Dunster  was  placed  a  stone 
with  this  inscription: 

"  To  the  Memory  of  the 

Eevd.     ISAIAH     DUNSTER, 

the  pious  and  beloved  Pastor  of  the  First  Church 
in  Harwich. 

He  was  educated  at  the  University  in  Cambridge,., 
his  native  town. 

Was  ordained  Nov.  13,  1748. 

After  a  judicious,  pertinent  and  faithful  discharge 
of  relative  and  ministerial  duties. 

Satisfied  with  Life  and  Confident  of  Immortality, 

He  Died  Jan.  18th,  1791, 

In  the  71st  year  of  his  Age,  and  43d  of  his  Ministry." 

In  the  loose  papers  is  a  receipt,  dated 

''Pembroke,  June  f  10th,  1797. 
Then  Eeceived  of  Miss  Hannah  Dunster  Eleven  Dol- 
lars in  ful  for  a  Pair  of  Gravestones. 

I  say  Eeceived  By  Me, 

Asaph  Soule." 

These,  wei  take  it,  were,  with  filial  affection,  placed 
over  her  mother's  grave.  She  survived  her  husband  al- 
most seven  years,  removing  to  Pembroke,  where  it  is 
thought  some  of  her  relatives  still  live.  Her  five  daugh- 
ters, none  of  whom  were  ever  married,  appear  to  have 
gone  with  her.  Hannah,  the  oldest,  received  this  certifi- 
cate, and  taught  school: 

"  Pembroke,  the  28th  of  May,  1792. 
To  all  whom  it  may  concern,   this  may  Certify  that 
Hannah  Dunster  is  a  Person  of  Sober  Life  &  Conversa- 
tion, and  well  qualified  to  Instruct  Children  in  the  more 
Early  Stages  of  Life. 

JosiAH  Smith,       )  Selectmen  of 
JosiAH  CushinCt,  j   Pembroke." 


132         HENKY   DUNSTEK  AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

12 

Mary  also  received  a  similar  paper,  in  which  it  is  cer- 
tified that  ''Molly  Dunster  who  proposes  to  keep  School 
in  the  town  of  Pembroke  for  the  education  of  Children 
in  the  most  early  stages  of  life^  is  a  Person  of  Sober  life 
and  Conversation,  and  well  qualified  for  keeping  such  a 
school. 

Given  under  our  hands  this  2d  day  of  July,  1798. 

John  Tuknek,  )  Selectmen  of 
Nath.  Smith,    \  Pembroke." 

Here  in  loneliness  they  lived.  In  1841,  when  Hannah, 
Mary  and*  Judith  Avere  living,  they  gave  to  Harvard  Col- 
lege the  "Bible  of  President  Dunster,  of  which  the  Old 
Testament  is  in  Hebrew  and  the  New  Testament  is  in 
Greek."  Mr.  EHot  {His.  Har.  Col,  p.  183,)  says,  "the 
Misses  Dunster  are  the  only  descendants  of  President 
Dunster."  It  should  have  been  Rev.  Isaiah  Dunster. 
This  Bible  is  carefully  kept  in  a  case  made  on  purpose, 
and  without  a  special  request  few  there  be  that  find  it. 

This  gift  was  remembered,  and  their  scanty  means 
and  grateful  hearts  were  enlarged  by  a  generous  dona- 
tion from  the  College. 

"  Harvakd  College,  31st  October,  1848. 
To  THE  Misses  Dunster:  Ladies, — In  conveying 
to  you  a  small  remittance  about  this  time  last  year,  I 
expressed  a  hope  that  it  would  be  in  our  power  to  con- 
tinue the  payment  of  a  similar  sum  as  a  regular  annuity. 
I  have  now  the  pleasure  of  transmitting  to  you  the  sum 
of  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  which  you  will  be 
pleased  to  accept  as  a  tribute  of  veneration  for  the  mem- 
ory of  your  honored  ancestor,  the  first  President  of  the 
University  in  this  place,  and  as  a  token  of  respectful 
interest  in  the  welfare  of  his  descendants. 

I  remain,  Ladies,  with  high  respect, 

Y'our  obedient,  faithful  servant, 

Edward  Everett,  President." 

At  this  time  Judith  had  gone  to  the  grave,  and  Mary 
followed  in  about  eighteen  months,  leaving  Hannah, 
although  the  oldest,  the  only  one  living. 

In  1852,  Edward'  Swift  Dunster,  who  had  passed  an 
unconditional  examination  and  was  awaiting  active  du- 


HANNAH^    DUNSTER.  133 

12 

ties  as  a  student  of  Harvard  College,  visited  this  old  lady 
at  Pembroke,  to  learn  from  her  own  lips  the  history  of 
her  family.  He  found  her  the  solitary  occupant  of  a 
humble  dwelling.  Her  house,  facing  the  south,  was  a 
little  old-fashioned  one,  a  story  and  a  half  high,  with 
gambrel  roof,  door  in  the  middle  of  the  front,  two  rooms 
only  in  the  main  part.  She  occupied  the  room  which 
looked  to  the  east  and  south,  giving  sunny  exposure. 
This  was  her  sleeping  and  sitting  room.  The  kitchen, 
in  the  rear,  she  used  for  her  comparatively  little  cook- 
ing, &c.  In  appearance  the  old  lady  was  quite  stout, 
and  rather  tall,  before  being  bent  with  age.  She  was 
not  very  chatty,  but  communicated  freely  and,  I  believe, 
without  reserve  all  she  knew  of  her  ancestors.  Her 
affection  for  her  cats  was  manifested  all  the  time  of  my 
visit.     (E.  S.  D.) 

With  her,  the  house  and  its  scanty  furniture  had 
grown  old,  but  the  courtesies  of  her  early  days  had  not 
departed,  nor  her  sensibilities  become  impaired.  He 
was  kindly  received. 

Denied  by  fate  of  a  recipient  for  the  adult  affections 
of  the  heart,  she  had  transferred  them  to  her  three  do- 
mostic  pets,  allowing  them  the  freedom  of  her  bed,  and 
purchasing  for  them  their  favorite  food,  of  which  at 
times  she  dej^rived  herself.  Their  well  developed  limbs 
and  glossy  fur  showed  that  they  realized  her  care. 

On  making  known  his  name  and  the  object  of  his 
visit,  she  was  much  surprised,  for  she  firmly  believed 
that  she  was  the  only  living  descendant  of  the  first 
President  of  Harvard,  whose  name  she  bore.  She  gave 
him  a  few  books  of  her  father's,  some  of  which  had  come 
down  in  the  family  from  the  earliest  time. 

He  then  inquired  if  she  had  any  old  papers  which  she 
would  let  him  see.  She  replied  that  she  had  none  of 
any  interest  to  any  one,  but,  pointing  to  a  shelf  near  the 
the  top  of  a  closet  in  the  hall,  said,  "  there  were  some 
old  ones  there,  but  no  one  can  read  them."  The  per- 
mission to  search  the  house  was  gladly  received.  On 
removing  some  of  her  well  preserved  things,  he  found 
beneath  them  a  pile  of  old  papers,  which  proved  to  be 
the  *'  Balehoult  Letter,"  and  other  papers  of  President 


134         HENRY    DUNSTER   AND   HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

12 

Dunster  and  her  father,  some  of  them  in  Latin;  among 
these  was  the  "  broadside  "  Dedaration  of  Independence, 
before  referred  to.  Becoming  interested  in  meeting  a 
rehitive  who  bore  her  name,  and  probably  feeling  that 
there  were  no  others  who  conld  preserve  the  relics  of  the 
family,  she  gave  him  other  papers.  Among  them  was  a 
small  package,  which  she  had  neatly  folded  and  care- 
fully pinned  together. 

This  little  treasure  contained  both  school  certificates, 
the  bill  of  her  mother's  grave  stones,  the  love  letter  be- 
fore referred  to,  her  father's  epitaph,  the  records  of  the 
death  of  her  sister  Martha's  husband  and  his  sons,  and 
other  scraps  of  writing,  in  which  no  interest  can  be  noiu 
perceived.     Among  them  was  this: 

"  Elkanah  Fauman  Lately  Eeturned  from  Sea  Desires 
to  Return  thanks  to  God  for  him  &  again  Bound  Desires 
Prayers. " 

It  can  easily  be  imagined  how  such  a  "  note  "  should 
be  in  her  father's  papers,  but  what  influence  should  have 
jirompted  its  preservation  must  ever  be  a  mystery.  It 
will  be  preserved  with  the  same  fastening  put  there  by 
her  hand. 

Hannah^  Dunster  died  May  9,  1853,  aged  85  years, 
2  months  and  13  days. 

With  the  death  of  this  old  lady,  that  branch  of  the 
family  became  extinct.  Eev.  Mr.  Allen,  of  Pembroke, 
preached  her  funeral  sermon,  which  is  reported  in  the 
Christian  Register  of  June  11,  1853,  from  which  we 
make  a  few  extracts: 

"  The  funeral  of  a  person  more  than  four-score  years 
old  is  an  occasion  that  seldom  occurs,  especially  in  a 
sparse  population. 

"The  person,  whose  remains  are  now  before  us,  was 
the  descendant  of  one  of  the  early  settled  and  highly 
respected  families  in  this  community.  Henry  Dunster, 
a  minister  in  England,  came  to  Boston  in  the  year  1640, 
and  was  immediately  chosen  President  of  Cambridge  Col- 
lege, in  which  situation  he  remained,  with  distinguished 
reputation,  fourteen  years,  when,  in  consequence  of  dif- 


HANNAH^    DUNSTER.  135 

12 

ferences  of  opinion  between  him  and  the  overseers  on 
the  subject  of  infant  baptism,  he  was  dismissed. 

"The  father  of  our  deceased  friend,  it  appears,  was 
son  of  one  of  the  President's  grand-sons.  He  was  born 
in  Cambridge,  Nov.,  1720.  Was  educated  and  settled 
in  the  ministry.  In  Nov.,  1766,  he  took  for  his  second 
wife  Mary  Smith,  daughter  of  Kev.  Thomas  Smith,  of 
Pembroke.  The  person  whose  funeral  we  are  solemniz- 
ing, was  the  first  child  of  this  marriage,  born  Feb.  26, 
17G8.  We  may  reasonably  suppose,  that  in  early  life 
Hannah  Dunster  received  all  the  advice  and  good  in- 
struction which  sincere  piety  would  dictate.  We  are 
happy  in  believing  that  parental  and  pious  labors  for  her 
good  were  not  fruitless.  As  she  advanced  in  life,  good 
evidence  was  given  of  steadfast  purpose  of  walking  in 
the  footsteps  of  pious  friends  who  had  preceded  her. 
At  an  early  period  her  name  was  enrolled  among  pro- 
fessed believers  and  followers  of  Jesus  Christ.  There 
were  some  peculiarities  in  her  views  and  manners,  but 
nothing  to  justify  doubts  of  the  sincerity  of  her  Christian 
profession.  She  embraced  the  views  and  took  rank  with 
those  called  liberal  Christians;  this  was  the  title  given  in 
her  early  days,  and  this  she  was  willing  should  be  ap- 
plied, but  would  admit  no  other.  Nothing  would  sooner 
disturb  her  feelings  and  provoke  resentment  than  a  re- 
quest to  receive  a  paper  or  a  book  with  the  modern  title 
commonly  given  liberal  discourses. 

"  At  an  early  period  of  life,  and  when  her  sisters  were 
quite  young,  she  lost  both  of  her  parents.  She  assumed 
the  chief  direction  of  the  family,  and  in  her  solicitude 
to  guard  younger  sisters  against  error  and  guide  them  in 
right  paths,  it  is  not  wonderful  if  she  frequently  exposed 
herself  to  the  just  charge  of  unreasonable  precision, 
and  too  much  exactitude  in  her  demands.  Females 
when  advanced  in  life,  who  have  not  been  mothers 
of  families,  generally  have  some  views  and  plans  of  life 

which  look  strange  to  others. We  must  think, 

with  some  admiration,  of  her  provident  care  for  sisters 
and  wisdom  in  keeping  them  so  comfortable  on  so  scanty 
means.  She  cherished  a  remarkable  independence  of 
temper.  This,  in  a  measure,  is  always  praisewortiiy,  but 
13 


136         HENRY    DUXSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

12 

may  be  carried  to  an  extreme.  We  think  tlie  deceased 
Avas  too  averse  to  receiving  aid  from  friends,  able  and 
disposed  to  lighten  her  burdens.  It  was  only  after  long 
and  earnest  solicitations,  that  she  would  consent  to  par- 
ticipate in  the  benefaction  of  charitable  institutions,  es- 
tablished specially  for  the  relief  of  persons  in  precisely 
her  situation. 

"The  preceding  sketch  shows  many  difficulties  whicli 
the  deceased  was  obliged  to  encounter;  yet  amid  them 
all,  she  was  unwavering  in  her  attentions  to  means  of 
moral  and  spiritual  improvement.  Till  the  weaknesses 
and  infirmities  of  age  had  greatly  increased,  very  seldom 
was  her  place  in  the  house  of  worship  or  the  church 
found  vacant. 

"  We  have  taken  from  yonder  house  tlie  last  member 
of  a  family,  and  the  only  inhabitant  of  it.  We  have 
come  up  here  to  perform  the  last  offices  of  earthly  friend- 
ship. Soon  shall  we  return  mortal  remains  to  kindred 
dust,  and  thus  extinguish  among  ourselves  a  name  long 
known  and  respected.  Can  we  perform  this  service? 
Can  we  look  at  the  desolated  house,  or  into  the  open 
grave,  without  thinking  how  rapid  the  api^roach  of  the 
hour  when  our  houses  must  be  left,  and  all  the  places  on 
earth  which  once  knew  us  shall  know  us  no  more? 

"Earnestly  let  us  all  inquire  what  manner  of  persons 
wo  ought  to  be.  Through  the  influence  of  means  a  wise 
Being  is  employing,  may  all  be  induced  to  walk  in  holy 
conversation  and  godliness,  looking  steadfastly  for  the 
second  appearance  of  Jesus  Christ.  When  he  shall  aj)- 
pear,  through  mercy,  may  these  vile  bodies  be  changed 
and  fashioned  like  unto  His  glorious  body." 

13.  Jason*  DuNSTER,  {Henry, ^  Jonathan,'^  Henry, ^) 
the  eighth  child  of  Henry  and  Martha  (Russell)  Dun- 
ster,  was  born  in  Cambridge,  "July  y"  14,  0.  S.,  July 
24,  1725-6,  N.  S.,"  and  baptized  July  18,  1725,  and  not 
1726,  as  in  Life  H.  D.,  p.  238.  He  married  Oct.  26, 
1749,  Rebecca,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Anne  (Harring- 
ton) Cutter,  born  March 3,  1731-3  {Cl/arlestown  Records). 
Her  father  died  when  she  was  about  six  years  old.  Nath. 
Francis,  of  Medford,  and  Joseph  Adams,  a  member  of 


JASON*    DUNSTER.  137 

IS 

Mr.  Cooke's  cliurcli,  were  appointed  her  guardians,  Oct. 
12,  174-1:.  The  year  before  (March  31,  1743),  her 
mother,  who  had  owned  the  covenant  at  the  formation 
of  Cambridge  Second  Church,  was  married  bv  Simon 
Tufts,  Esq.,  to  Mr.  Francis.  Mr.  F.  died  Sept.  2, 
17G4,  and  she  appears  to  have  lived  with  iier  daughter 
(Mrs.  Dunster)  afterwards.  In  one  record  of  Me.  Cooke, 
kept  apparently  to  note  his  income  from  marriages,  the 
entry  is,  "Jason  Dunster  and  daughter  of  Mrs.  Francis, 
1749,  of  Charlestown  precinct — marriage  fee  £4."  She 
appears  to  have  gone  to  Mason  with  Mr.  D."s  family, 
17t)9.  In  Mr.  Cooke's  record  of  deatlis  is  "  widow  Ann 
Francis,  of  Mason,  was  buried  in  ]\Ienotomy,  Jan.  1, 
1778,  aged  76."  Her  grave  stone  is  standing  in  Arling- 
ton. She  was  baptized  March  31,  1700.  [Bond's  His. 
Witfertown,  p.  274.)  This  agrees  nearly  with  her  age  as 
recorded  by  Cooke.  She,  Eobecca,  was  a  member  of 
Monotomy  Church  June  2,  1749,  about  live  months  be- 
fore her  marriage.  In  the  Bible  of  his  father,  Henry  ^ 
Dunster,  in  the  handwriting  of  liev.  Isaiah*  Dunster, 
the  record  is,  "Jason  Dunster,  born  July  24,  1726,  Ne.w 
Stile.  Rebeccah  Cutter,  born  March  19,  1732,  New 
Stile  [altered  in  a  later  hand  to  1731.]  They  were  mar- 
ried Nov.  6,  1749,  New  Style."  These  discrepancies  are 
referred  to  in  Isaiah*  Dunster  [ante  p.  103),  and  there  ex- 
plained. They  have  been  a  source  of  much  trouble.  He, 
Jason,*  was  a  member  in  full  communion  of  the  Second 
Church  in  Cambridge  (now  Arlington)  March  18,  1753. 
It  is  not  clear,  with  present  investigation,  whether  he 
united  with  Cambridge  First  Church  and  received  let- 
ters to  Mr.  Cooke's,  or  whether  he  united  with  the 
Menotomy  Church  on  a  profession  of  faith.  It  is  cer- 
tain that  they  were  married  by  Rev.  Mr.  Cooke,  and  his 
marriage  record  is,  ''  1749,  Oct.  26,  Jason  Dunster,  of 
Cambridge,  and  Rebecca  Cutter  of  this  Precinct,  Charles- 
town."  He  lived  at  the  old  Dunster  homestead,  boun- 
ded northerly  by  the  "Gilboa  road"  and  easterly  on 
Concord  roacl.  We  have  seen  that  he  bought  the  por- 
tion of  his  sister,  Abigail*  (Dunster)  Cutler,  and  was 
already  in  possession  of  tiie  property  of  Henry,  his 
In'other,  given  to  his  widow  by  his  will. 


138         HENRY    DUNSTER   ANT)   HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

13 

For  about  eighteen  years  he  lived  tliere,  and  there  all 
his  children  were  born.  What  should  have  induced  him 
to  sell  that  almost  sacred  place  and  remove  to  the  wilds 
of  New  Hampshire?  January  28,  1769,  we  find  him 
taxed  in  the  town  of  Mason,  N.  H.,  for  the  first  time. 
His  tax  was  9s.  6d.,  the  highest  being  Thomas  Tarbell, 
£1  10s.  lOd.,  and  the  lowest,  Widow  Mary  Jefts,  8d. 
2qrs.  This  land  was  sold  by  Timothy  Whitney,  of 
Shrewsbury,  in  Worcester  County,  for  £121  6s.  8d. — 
"containing  190  acres,  in  two  tracts,  lying  partly  in  the 
Province  of  Massachusetts  Bay  and  partly  in  New  Hamp- 
shire, beginning  at  a  stake  &  stones  which  is  on  the 
southwest  corner  of  the  premises  being  in  Townsend,  by 
a  corner  of  land  owned  by  Jonathan  Wallace;  from 
thence  northerly  about  one  hundred  and  sixty  rods  to  a 
pitch  Pine  by  Jos.  Herrick's  land. 

The  other  tract  is  meadow,  about  five  acres — southerly 

on  Hezakiah  Kichard son's  land to  Jason  Dun- 

ster  of  Cambridge,  Co.  Middlesex,  Massachusetts  Bay. 

Signed  23d  April,  1767.  Timothy  Whitney. 

Witnessed : 
Joseph  Estabrook. 
Sam.  Hobart. 

Acknowledged  May  21,  1767,  by  Samuel  Hobert." 

This  deed  was  not  recorded  till  April  23,  1769,  the 
year  in  which  he  was  taxed.  The  property  (two  lots) 
was  split  in  two  by  the  survey  in  1T41,  by  which  New 
Hampshire  obtained  from  Massachusetts  a  strip  of  land 
fourtjeen  miles  wide  and  more  than  fifty  miles  long. 
(Farmer.)  It  was  chicanery  on  both  sides.  Govern- 
ments are  applauded  for  acts  that  would  condemn  a  man 
to  infamy.  Belcher,  who  was  Governor  of  both  provinces 
at  the  time,  was  accused  of  bribing  that  "Irish  Dog  of 
a  Surveyor."  He  retorted,  that  the  "People  were  too 
poor  to  be  taxed,  and  had  solicited  him  to  allow  them  to 
issue  paper  money  without  any  fund  for  its  redemption!  " 
[Belknajfs  History  Xew  Hampshire.) 

The  town  was  incorporated  Aug.  26,  1768,  and  the 
tax  list  referred  to  was  the  first  under  the  corporate 
authority.  Wliether  he  had  been  here  before  is  not  cer- 
tain.    There  had  been  a  meeting  house  erected  by  the 


JASON*    DUXSTER.  139 

13 

proprietors  before  ii  church  was  organized,  and  it  was 
given  to  the, town  in  1769.  There  was  [)roachiiig  in  it, 
for  wo  find  a  vote,  ])assed  Jan.  11,  1770,  ''To  pay  Jolin 
Swallow  two  shillings  and  eight  pence  for  boarding  Mr. 
Xathan  Bond's  horse  while  preaching  in  1709."  (We 
trust  it  was  Mr.  Bond,  not  his  horse  who  i)reached.) 

Soon  after  his  settlement  in  Mason  a  church  was  or- 
ganized, in  which  ho  took  an  active  j)art.  The  records 
gf  this  church  commence: 

"A  Book  of  Records  belonging  to  the  Church  of 
Christ  in  Mason,  began  Oct.  13,  1772,  when  y"  Brethren 
were  incorporated  into  a  distinct  Chli.  Society  bv  y"  ad- 
vice and  Assistance  of  an  Ecclesiastical  Council." 

Then  follows  the  covenant,  in  which  it  is  declared: 

■'As  to  matter  of  faith  we  cordially  adhere  to  the 
principles  of  religion  (at  least  the  substance  of  them) 
contained  in  the  Shorter  Catechism  of  the  Assembly  of 
Divines not  as  supposing  there  is  any  author- 
ity much  less  infallibility  in  human  Creeds  or  forms 

hereby  declaring  our  utter  dislike  of  the  Armenian 


Principles  vulgarly  so  called." 

In  a  note  it  is  said,    "by  'the  Substance  of  tliem  '  we 

intend  to  govern  ourselves  by  the  platform,  so  far  as  it 

agrees  with  the  word  of  God." 
(Signed) 
Jonathan  Searle,  Obediah  Parker,    ' 

Enosh  Lawrence,  Nathan  Coburn, 

Nathan  Hall,  Josiah  Wheeler, 

John  Eliot,-  Samuel  Smith,* 

Jason  Dunster,  Joshua -Davis, 

Amos  Dakin,  William  Eliot. 

The  church  w^as  then  declared  by  the  council  to  be 
"now  a  Visible,  distinct  Church,  regularly  and  scriptu- 
rally  embodied."  The  same  date,  Oct.  13,  1772,  they 
unanimously  "Voted  to  receive  y°  hereafter  mentioned 
sisters  as  standing  in  full  Chh.  membership  with  y"." 

*  Samuel  Smith  was  dismissed  from  the  church  in  Lexington  to 
Mason,  in  order  to  aid  the  gathering  of  a  church  there.     (lliMory 
Lex.  Gen.,  223.) 
*13 


140         HENRY    DUNSTEIl   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTg. 

13 

This  is  followed  by  nine  names,  of  which  the  fourth  is 
"Kebeccu,  y"  wife  of  Jason  Dunster.'' 

Feb.  8,  1773.  "Voted  that  Brother  Jason  Dunster 
and  Bro.  Nathan  Hall  serve  the  Table  for  a  time  until 
the  church  shall  proceed  to  make  choice  of  Deacons." 

Oct.  13,  1789.  ''Voted  that  Dea.  Hall,  Jason  Dun- 
ster and  Samuel  Smith  be  a  committee  to  wait  on  Eben- 
ezer  Hill  and  invite  him  to  be  their  Pastor." 

When  Mr.  Hill  (H.  C,  1786,)  first  came  to  preach  at 
Mason,  provision  had  been  made  for  him  to  board  at 
Mr.  Dnnster's.  On  his  way  there  he  was  accompauied  by 
Rev.  Mr.  Dix,  of  Townsend.  Coming  to  two  obscure  roads 
in  the  woods,  they  doubted  which  to  take.  Soon  a  man 
came  along  of  whom  Mr.  Dix  inquired  the  way.  The 
man,  either  from  uncouth  manners  or  studied  perverse- 
ness,  replied,  "  I  have  got  two  sheep,  a  cow,  a  pig  and  a 
whole  lot  of  chickens,  and  hay  enough  to  keep  them." 
"We  wish  to  go  to  Mr.  Dunster's,"  says  Mr.  Dix;" 
"  will  you  please  direct  us  which  road  to  take?"  Mr. 
Squeer's  returned  the  same  answer  as  before.  "  Well, 
my  friend,"  said  Mr.  Dix,  who  never  let  the  opportunity 
slip  to  make  an  "application,"  "you  seem  to  be  pretty 
well  provided  for  in  the  things  of  this  world;  how  is  it 
with  you  in  the  world  to  come?"  "  That  is  the  road  to 
Mr.  Dunster's,"  replied  S.,  and,  turning  on  his  heel,  left 
the  unwelcome  question  unanswered. 

Oct.  14,  1790.  "  Voted  that  liobart  Russel  and  Jason 
Dunster  be  a  committee  to  wait  on  the  Honorable  Coun- 
cil at  the  Ordination  of  Mr.  Ebenezer  Hill." 

July  1,  1802.      "Jason  Dunster  and  wife  by  virtue  of 
a  letter  from   the  Chh.  in  Ashburnham   to  which  they 
were  lately  recommended  by  us  and  now  received  back ' 
again."     {Church  Becords.) 

In  1773  he  was  Surveyor  of  Highway,  and  in  1774  was 
Constable,  i.  e..  Collector  of  Taxes,  and  in  that  year  his 
Province  (State)  tax  was  2  farthings!  equal  to  one-third 
of  one  cent.  Taxes  soon  increased.  In  1780  his  "  Beef 
Rate"*  was  £131  14s.  lOd.  3qrs.;  and  in  1781  his  "  War 

*  This  was  to  purchase  beef  for  the  Continental  army. 


JASON*    DUXSTEK.  141 

13 

Rate"  Avas  £2  os.  5d.  3(}rs.,  and  his  *'Rum  Rate"  3s. 
od.  l({r.  The  same  year,  the  records  show  tliat  "Jos. 
Herrick  was  paid  £50  8s.  for  two  and  a  half  onshels  of  rye 
delivered  to  Jason  Dunster  for  ])art  of  his  sons  hire  for 
six  months  service  in  the  year  1781."  (^42. 67  a  bushell) 
There  is  also  recorded  an  order  "  to  pay  Nathan  Wood 
€25  10s.  (^83.33)  for  a  pair  of  overhals  delivered  to  Dea- 
con Da  kin  for  one  of  the  soldiers."  These  prices  were 
in  Continental  money.  "  Greenbacks  "  were  never  so  low 
.as  that.  New  Hampshire  tried  to  remedy  this  state  of 
affairs  by  issuing  bills  of  her  own.  These  went  down 
one-half. 

Light  is  thrown  on  these  enormous  prices  by  reference 
to  a  list  of  prices  fixed  by  law  in  the  next  town,  where 
'West  India  Rum  is  set  down  £6  lis.  per  gallon.  New 
England  Rum  £1  18s.,  Men's  Shoes  £6,  Women's  do.  £4, 
W^  I.  Phlip  15  shillings,  and  New  England  Phlip  12 
sliillings  (two  dollars)  "  a  mug."  "  In  short,"  says  Hon. 
John  B.  Hill,  {Hist,  of  Mason,)  "so  worthless  was  the 
currency  that  it  would  take  a  sack  full  of  paper  notes  to 
pay  for  a  pipe  full  of  tobacco." 

The  babble  burst;  but  not  before  the  town  voted,  Feb. 
12,  1782,  that  the  Selectmen  "  strain  on  the  Treasurer 
amediately."  Prices  went  down  so  that  rye  came  within 
the  means  of  the  common  people;  and  the  town  voted, 
May  2G,  1783,  "To  pay  Capt.  Wm.  Chambers  4  shillings 
Lawful  money,  it  being  for  two  mugs  of  Philp  (33  cents 
a  mug)  that  the  arbitrators  had  that  set  on  the  dispute 
that  the  town  had  with  Ens.  Joseph  Ball,  and  for  two 
mugs  that  the  selectmen  had  when  they  vendued  the 
shingles  and  nails  that  blew  from  the  meeting  house." 

An  intelligent  old  gentleman,  Thomas  Wilson,  who 
belonged  to  the  same  church  with  him,  and  who  mar- 
ried the  writer's  aunt,  and  was  brother  to  the  Samuel 
Wilson  from  whom  the  interpretation  of  U.  S.  to  mean 
"  Uncle  Sam,"  which  so  often  does  duty  in  print,  was 
derived,  related  about  twenty-five  years  ago,  that  Mr. 
Dunster  was  a  devoted  Christian,  and  a  prominent  mem- 
ber of  Mason  Church,  and  further  said:  "He  was  a  tall, 
slim  man,  about  six  feet  high,  and  wore  a  white  linen 
cap  under  his  '  three  cornered  hat,'  which  he  exchanged 


142         HENRY    DUNSTER   AND   HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

13 

for  a  green  one  when  he  went  to  'meeting.'  He  was 
very  amiable  and  of  a  uniform  temperament,  and  much 
attached  to  children,  especially  his  grand-children.  His 
wife  also  was  a  church  member,  but  more  irritable  and 
easily  excited.  His  farm  was  in  the  extreme  southeast 
corner  of  Mason,  touching  Brookline  (then  Kaby)  and 
Townsend,  Mass.,  then  spelled  Townshend."* 

In  1798  his  son  Samuel  came  to  Mason  and  bought 
the  farm.  Soon  after  (1801?)  he  removed  to  Ashburn- 
ham,  taking  the  '"old  folks"  with  him.  They  were  dis- 
ct)ntented,  and  returned  to  Mason,  where,  as  we  have 
seen,  they  applied  for  readmission  to  their  old  spiritual 
home,  and  were  gladly  welcomed  back.  They  spent  the 
remnant  of  their  days  with  their  son,  Jason ^  Dunster, 
at  the  west  part  of  the  town,  afterwards  called  Mason 
Village. 

He  died  Feb.  19,  1805,  and  was  buried  at  Mason  Cen- 
tre.    A  slate  stone  at  his  grave  is  inscribed: 

"Sacred — to  the  Memory  of — Jason  Dunster — Avho 
died  Feb.  19,  1805,  in  the  79th  year  of  his  age." 

"  Great.  God,  I  own  the  sentence  just, 
And  yield  my  body  to  the  dust; 
Yet  by  Thy  Grace  I  hope  to  rise 
And  dwell  with  Christ  above  the  skies." 

His  wife  died  Feb.  16,  1806,  not  1816,  as  stated  in 
Hist.  Mason,  p.  182,  (the  error  was  on  her  grave  stone, 
but  is  now  corrected,)  and  was  buried  beside  her  hus- 
band in  the  Dunster  group.     The  inscription  is: 

"Sacred — to  the  Memory — of — Rebeccah  Dunster, 
wife  of  Jason  Dunster — who  died  Feb.  16,  1806 — in  the 
72d  year  of  her  age." 

"  In  faith  she  died,  in  dust  she  lies; 
But  faith  foresees  that  dust  shall  rise 
When  Jesus  calls;  while  hope  assumes 
And  boasts  her  joy  among  the  tombs." 

*  We  think  this  was  a  mistake.  Sluidrack  Whitney  was  the 
original  owner  of  lot  No.  1  in  the  tliird  range,  and  Mr.  Dunster 
bought  of  Timothy  W.,  perhaps  his  son.  The  lot  in  the  corner  of 
the  town  was  No.  1  in  range  one 


ELIZABETH*    DUNSTER.  143 

14 

The  eight  children  of  Jason  ^  and  Rebecca  (Cutter) 
Dunster  were: 

21  §.  i.  El'th^Duxster,  born  at  Cambridge,  Aug. 
21,  1750,  X.  S.,  married  Joseph  Blood. 

ii.  Rebecca'  Dunster,  born  Aug.  18,  bap. 
23,  1752.  She  died  at  Cambridge,  June  5,  1753,  aged 
10  months. 

22^.  iii.  Hexky^  Dunster,  born  Aug.  -4,  bap- 
tized 11,  1754. 

23  §.  iv.  Rebecca^  Dunster,  born  June  18,  bap- 
tized 20,  1756,  married  Jolni  Swallow. 

21^.  V.  Martha^  Dunster,  baptized  Sept.  3, 
1758.  married  OliAer  Wright. 

25^.     vi.     Isaiah^  Dunster,  bap.  April  12,  17GL 

20%.  vii.  Jason^  Dunster,  born  March  27,  bap- 
tized April  3,  1763. 

;^7  §.  viii.  Samuel*  Cutter  Dunster,  baptized 
April  27,  1766. 

These  children  were  all  baptized  at  Cambridge  Second 
Church. 

14,  i.  Elizabeth*  Dunster,  familiarly  known  as 
Betty,  {Davicl,^  Jonathan,'^  Henry,^)  called  in  her  father's 
will  "  Elizabeth,  my  eldest  daughter,"  was  baptized  in 
Cambridge  First  Church,  April  25,  1730-31.  She  mar- 
ried, at  AVestminster,  James  Taylor.  They  both  lived 
and  died  there.  Very  little  of  their  history  is  known; 
Westminster  records  have  uot  been  searched  for  it. 
They  had  a  very  large  family  of  children,  thirteen  or 
fourteen  in  number,  most  of  whom  died  in  infancy. 
There  is  no  register  of  these  children  to  be  found,  nor 
sufficient  data  to  classify  them,  and  they  are  given  as 
alluded  to  in  a  letter  of  Mrs.  Estabrook: 

Ruth*  Taylor,  born  and  died  in  Westminster,  unm. 

Rebecca*  Taylor,  born  and  died  in  W.,   "single." 

A  daughter,* married. 

Jonathan*  Taylor,  born  in  Westminster,  married 
and  lived  in  Ludlow,  Vt. ;  from  thence  removed  to  Chit- 
tendon,  Vt.,  afterwards  to  Ohio.  It  is  believed  he  had 
a  familv,  but  nothing  further  is  known  of  him. 


144        HENRY    DUNSTER   AND   HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

Joseph^  Taylor,  the  youngest  child  of  James  and 
Betty*  (Dnnster)  Taylor,  was  born  May  7,  1778,  in 
Westminster.  He  married  Betsey  Green,  of  Westmin- 
ster, Sept.,  180:^,  was  a  farmer,  and  resided  in  Ludlow, 
Vt.  lie  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  as  was 
also  his  wife.  She  died  of  heart  disease,  and  was  buried 
at  Ludlow.  He  died  Nov.  5,  1869,  of  "old  age  and  in- 
firmity incident  thereto,"  aged  91  years,  6  months,  and 
was  buried  at  Ludlow. 

"  They  had  nine  children,  of  whom  I  am  the  youngest 
and  only  living  one.  All  but  three  died  in  infancy  or 
early  childhood."    \Ora  J.  Taylor. — Letter.) 

(i)  Ardain®  Green  Taylor,  the  oldest  child  of 
Joseph  and  Betsey  (Green)  Taylor,  was  born  in  Ludlow, 
Vt.,  July  12,  1803.  He  graduated  at  Castleton  Medical 
College,  Vt.,  and  practiced  medicine  in  Ludlow  and 
Plymouth.  He  was  a  self-educated  man,  and  a  success- 
ful physician;  took  an  active  interest  in  education  and 
temperance;  was  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  highly  re- 
spected in  the  community.  He  was  twice  married.  1st, 
July  13,  1828,  to  Ruth  Pettigrew,  daughter  of  Deacon 
Andrew  Pettigrew,  of  Plymouth.  She  died  June  5, 
1839.     By  her  he  had  four  children: 

(1)  Euth'  Ann  Taylor,  born  Oct.  18,  1829,  died 
in  infancy. 

(3)  Ann^  Eliza  Taylor,  born  Jan.  29,  J  834,  now 
living  in  Ludlow. 

(3)  Amanda'  B.  Taylor,  born  Aug.  7,  1830,  living 
in  Missouri,  married? 

(4)  Orinda'  L.  Taylor,  born  Aug.  22,  1838,  living 
in  New  York  city,  married? 

Dr.  Ardain**  G.  Taylor  married  2d,  March  29,  1840, 
Orinda  Elisal)eth  Walker,  daugliter  of  Deacon  Rufiis 
Walker,  of  Williamstown,  Vt.  She  is  still  living.  He 
died  at  Ludlow,  June  3,  1846,  aged  43,  and  was  buried 
there.     By  her  he  had  tliree  children: 

(5)  Ruth'  Pettigrew  Taylor,  born  Aug.  20,  1841, 
died  March  12,  1855. 


THE   TAYLOR    FAMILY.  145 

14 

(G)  Susanna'  M.  Taylor,  born  Feb.  1,  1845,  died 
Aug.  27,  1875,  in  California,  married,  and  believed  to 
have  had  children. 

(7)  Emily'  M.  Taylor,  born  Sept.  8,  1846,  about 
three  months  after  her  father  died.  She  is  living  in 
Eutland,  Vt.,  married? 

(ii)  Amanda®  Taylor,  (Joseph,^  James  and  Betty* 
D.,  David,'^  Jona."^  Henry,^)  the  second  child  of  Joseph 
and  Betsey  (Green)  Taylor,  born  Oct.  25,  1805,  in  Lud- 
low, married  John  Tyrrell,  son  of  John  Tyrrell,  of  An- 
dover,  A^t.  He  was  a  farmer.  They  both  died  in  1840, 
iit  Andover,  Vt.     They  had  six  children: 

(1)  Almira'  Amanda  Tyrrell,  born  Aug.  10,  1828, 
now  living  at  Sherberne,  Vt. ,  married. 

(2)  Ardain'  Augustus  Tyrrell,  born  March  22, 
1830,  Avent  to  the  "far  West,"  married,  and  died  there. 

(3)  Elisabeth'  Ann  Tyrrell,  born  June  11,  1832, 
died  unmarried. 

(4)  Lucinda'  Smith  Tyrrell,  born  April  27,  1834, 
married,  lived  and  died  in  Cavendish,  Vt. 

(5)  Oscar'  Olden  Tyrrell,  born  Feb.  20,  183G, 
"married,  went  to  the  Union  army  in  the  rebellion,  and 
died  there." 

(6)  Melintha'  Taylor  Tyrrell,  born  Feb.  18, 
1838,  married,  and  is  living  in  Mount  Holly,  Vt. 

(iii)     Orison'  Taylor,  born  Nov.  27,  1808. 
(iv)     Keuben®  B.emis,  born  Nov.  2,  1811. 

(v)       Melintha® ,  born  Aug.  7,  1814. 

(vi)      Meriah® ,  born  April  22,  1817. 

(vii) ,  born  Feb.  19,  1820. 

(viii) ,  born  Jan.  8,  1823. 

These  six  children  of  Joseph  and  Betsey  (Green)  Tay- 
lor, all  died  in  infancy  or  early  childhood. 

(ix)  Ora®  James  Taylor,  {Joseph,^  James  and  Betty* 
Dunster,  Davi'd,^  Jona.^  Henry, ^)  the  ninth  and  youngest 
child  of  Joseph  and  Betsey  (Green)  Taylor,  born  Aug. 
5,  1825,  at  Ludlow,  Vt.,  married  Jan.  1,  1849,  Abby 
Patience?  Taylor,  daughter  of  Nathan  Taylor,  of  Sher- 
berne, Vt.     They  were  not  related  before  marriage.     He 


146         HENKY    DUNSTEli   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

15 

is  a  farmer,  and  resides  in  Lndlow.  To  him  the  credit 
of  most  of  the  history  of  ''  Betty  "  Dunster's  descendants 
belongs.  Being  pressed  with  the  inquiry  if  he  had  held 
official  station,  he  replied:  "I  have  the  usual  history  of 
a  small  farmer,  except,  perhaps,  that  I  have  been  Justice 
of  the  Peace  for  ten  or  twelve  years,  and  am  Deacon  of 
the  Baptist  Church  to  which  I  belong;  but  would 'pre- 
fer neither  of  these  should  appear."  Such  modesty,  in 
these  days  of  official  effrontery,  ought  not  to  be  sup- 
pressed. Disclaiming  any  discourtesy,  in  printers' 
phrase,  "It  must  go  in."  They  had  two  sons  and 
two  daughters,  born  in  Lndlow: 

(1)  Jason  ^  Daniel  Taylor,  born  July  17,  1852. 
He  was  drowned  in  the  Indian  Territory,  June  16,  18T5. 
Unmarried. 

(3)     Lida'  Mariah  Taylor,  born  March  26,  -1857. 

(3)  Arthur'  Orison  Taylor,  born  Oct.  28,  1858. 

(4)  Ruby'  Almira  Taylor,  born  July  12,  1860. 

15.  ii.  Molly*  Dunster,  (i)rt?'/(/,''/o;m.^  i/«?»?-y,^) 
called  in  the  will  "  Mary  Bemis,  my  2nd  daughter,"  was 
baptized  at  Cambridge  First  Church,  March  4,  1732-3, 
and  went  with  her  father's  family  to  Westminster,  in 
1742.  She  married,  probably  at  W.,  David  Bemis.  He 
Avas  deacon  of  the  Baptist  Cliurch.  ^'  She  was  a  capable 
and  efficient  woman,  doing  good,  and  was  well  beloved." 
They  settled  in  Brattleboro',  Yt.,  on  a  farm.  Had  nine 
children:  1.  John.  2.  Joseph.  3.  Benjamin.  4.  Elias. 
5.   Aimer.     6.     Levi.     7.   Asa.     8.   Samuel.     9.   Sarah. 

1.     JoHN^   Bemis  was  a  soldier  in   the  war  of   the 

Revolution.     He  married   first,  Tubbs,  by  whom 

he  had  three  children:  Benjamin,  Lucy,  Nabby.  His 
wife  died,  and  he  married  second,  Jemima  Whipple, 
who  had  nine  more,  making  twelve.  He  died  in  Dum- 
merston,  Vt. 

(i)  Benjamin*'  Bemis,  (JoJni,^  David  and  MolJy^  D.) 
married  Rebecca  Dickinson.  Resided  at  Bath,  Vt.  En- 
listed in  the  regular  service,  and  died  there.    Ko  children. 

(ii)      Lucy®  Bemis,  resided  in  Littleton,  N.  H. 


THE    BEMIS    FAMILY.  147 

15 

(iii)  Nabby®  Bemis,  married  Joseph  Hildreth.  Re- 
side in  Dummerston,  Vt.  Two  children:  (1)  George^ 
Hildretli,  married  Mary  Clark,  of  Dummerston,  and 
reside  there.  (2)  Alzina'  Hildreth,  married  Hnmphery 
Barrett.     Have  two  children. 

(iv)  John®  Bemis,  (by  2d  wife,)  married  at  Dum- 
merston,   Knight.     Two  children: 

(1)    Roxanna'  Bemis.     (2)    Bradley''  Bemis. 

(v)  Melinda®  Bemis,  married  Nathan  Applebee,  of 
Littleton,  N.  H. 

(vi)  Asa®  Bemis,  enlisted  in  the  war  of  1812,  died 
in  the  service,  unmarried. 

(vii)  Daniel®  Bemis,  married  Melinda  Goddard, 
reside  in  Dummerston.  Four  children:  Melinda,  Anna, 
Orpha,  Sumner — all  dead. 

(viii)     Katie®  Bemis,  mar.  Dr.  Sewell  Walker,  of  D. 

(ix)      Emeline®  Bemis,  mar.  Applebee,  went 

to  Littleton,  N.  H. 

(x)     David®  Bemis,   married  Burnham,  reside 

in  Dummerston.     Four  children: 

(1)  Erastus^  Bemis,  was  a  physician,  died  in 
Michigan? 

(2)  Daniel^  Bemis,  was  killed  by  the  falling  of  a 
tree,  unmarried. 

(3)  Samuel'  N.  Bemis,  is  a  physician  at  Dum- 
merston,  married  Louisa  Miller. 

(I)  Horace''  Bemis,  is  a  lawyer  in  Alleghany  Co., 
New  York. 

(xi)  Stephen'  and  (xii)  William  '  Bemis,  both  died 
in  Dummerston,  Yt. 

The  date  of  the  births  of  this  family  is  not  known. 
They  were  mostly  Universalists. 

2.  Joseph^  Bemis,  the  second  child  of  David  and 
Molly  (Dunster)  Bemis,  enlisted  into  the  Continental 
service  when  between  16  and  17  years  of  age.  Wintered 
at  Yalley  Forge  with  Washington's  army.  He  stood 
guard  one  night  over  a  house  in  which  General  Wash- 
ington was  an  inmate.  At  daybreak,  the  General  came 
14 


148         HENKY    DUNSTEK  AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

15 

out  and  said,  "Pretty  cold  morning,  isn't  it,  soldier? 
Do  you  suppose  a  little  peach  brandy  would  hurt  you?" 
Mr.  Bemis  replied,  "I  think  not."  The  General  re- 
turned to  the  house  and  sent  his  servant  out  with  a  flask. 
At  another  time,  while  on  guard.  General  Washington 
wished  to  pass  into  camp.  He  presented  his  gun,  and 
called  for  the  countersign.  General  W.  told  him  that 
he  could  let  him  pass;  he  was  one  of  his  officers.  Mr. 
B.  told  him  he  must  give  the  password  first.  The  Gen- 
eral then  said,  "You  have  a  fine  gun  there,  soldier." 
B.  replied,  "  Guess  I  can  kill  an  Indian  six  or  eight  rods 
off.  Stand  out  there;  you  can  tell.  The  General  held 
out  his  hat  and  showed  the  countersign  in  it,  which  was 
obliged  to  be  given  in  a  whisper,  or  written.  As  he 
passed,  the  General  slapped  him  on  the  shoulder,  and 
said,  "I  wish  I  had  a  whole  regiment  of  soldiers  like 
you."  He  married  Jemima  Stoddard;  was  a  farmer,  in 
Dummerston,  Vt.  The  family  arc  Baptists.  He  died 
at  Dummerston.     Had  six  children: 

(i)  Polly®  Bemis,  married  Nathaniel  Attridge,  a 
farmer,  reside  in  Ellisburg,  Jefferson  Co.,  N.  Y.  She 
died  Dec.  25,  1864,  aged  82  years.     Had  nine  children: 

(1)  Cynthia''  Attridge,  married  Artemas  Halley, 
of  Ellisburg.  Two  children:  Charles^  Hally,  who  died 
in  the  late  war,  and  a  daughter,  who  is  also  dead. 

(2)  Anna'  Attridge,  married  Elias  Dickinson,  died 
at  Ellisburg. 

(3)  Oscar'  Attridge,  married  Relief  Pratt,  res. 
Ellisburg,  and  died  there.  Had  four  children,  names 
unknown. 

(4)  Laura'  Attridge,  d.  at  Springfield,  Mass.,  unm. 

(5)  Nathaniel'  Attridge,  mar.  Pamelia  Marshall. 
Is  a  horticulturist  in  Wisconsin.  Two  children,  both 
dead. 

(6)  Amanda'  Attridge,  married  Cyrus  Taylor,  of 
Ellisburg.  She  died  in  the  Insane  Asylum  in  Adams, 
Jefferson  Co.,  N.  Y.     Had  five  children: 

i.  DoN^  Taylor,  was  in  the  service  in  the  late  war, 
has  since  gone  West. 


THE    BEMIS   FAMILY.  149 

15 

a.  Adelbert®  Taylor,  is  n  mercliant  in  Adams, 
Jefferson  Co.,  N.  Y.  Three  daughters— have  no  ac- 
count of  them. 

(7)  Polly'  Attridge,  married  Seth  Griggs,  of  El- 
lisburg.     No  children. 

(8)  Lucy''  Attridge,  married  Benjamin  Dickinson, 
reside  in  Brookfield,  Missouri.  He  was  the  son  of  Paul 
Dickinson,  who  married  Sarah  Bemis.  They  have  one 
daughter,  married,  and  lives  with  them. 

(9)  Joseph'  Attridge,  died  in  Dummerston,  when 
about  nine  years  old.     Family  all  Baptists. 

(ii)  Cynthia®  Bemis,  second  child  of  Joseph  and 
Jemima  (Stoddard)  Bemis,  mar.  in  1803,  Joel  Chandler. 
She  died  Nov.,  1864,  aged  80.  Were  Baptists.  Had 
three  children:     Elam,  Maria,  Jerusha. 

(1)  Elam'  Chandler,  born  at  Petersham,  Mass., 
married  first,  Maria  Foster,  of  Dummerston.     She  had: 

/.  Elizabeth^  Chandler,  who  mar.  Martin  Wiltre, 
a  farmer,  reside  at  Yorkshire  Corners,  Cattaraugus  Co., 
N.  Y.  Have  two  children:  Eddie' and  Henry*  Ward 
B.  Wiltre.     Baptists. 

He  married  second,  and  had:  it.  Murrey®  and  Hi.  Ella* 
Chandler. 

(2)  Maria'  Chandler,  married  Daniel  Babcock,  of 
Newfane,  Yt.  Has  two  children:  Maynard®  Babcock, 
res.  Michigan.  Salina®  Babcock,  married  Hiram  Hall, 
lives  in  Springville,  Erie  Co.,  N.  Y.,  and  has  a  large 
family.  Mrs.  Maria  Babcock  resides  in  Yorkshire,  N. 
Y.     Baptists. 

(3)  Jerusha'  Chandler,  born  in  Dummerston, 
Vt.,  Jan.  29,  1818,  married  June,  1846,  C.  M.  Hadley. 
Three  children: 

i.  Ambrose*  W.  Hadley,  married  Emma  Holden, 
res.  Yorkshire,  farmer.  Two  children:  Howard®  and 
Zelna®  Holden  Hadley. 

//.  Edwin*  S.  Hadley,  married  Elmira  Smith,  res. 
East  x\shford,  Cattaraugus  Co.,  N.  Y.,  farmer.  They 
have  one  child:     Cornelius®  Hadley. 


150         HENRY    DUNSTER   AND   HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

15 

Hi.  Frank  ^  C.  Hadley,  married  Dora  Evarts,  res. 
East  Ashford,  farmers.  The  Hadley  families  are  all 
Methodists. 

(iii)  Joseph®  Bemis,  the  third  child  of  Joseph  and 
Jemima  (Stoddard)  Bemis,  born  at  Dummerston,  Vt., 
Aug.  5,  1786,  married  Dec.  3,  1807,  Abigail  Hadley; 
farmer;  res.  East  Ashford,  N.  Y.  Methodists.  They 
had  ten  children: 

(1)  Priscilla'  Bemis,  married  George  Dickinson, 
farmer,  res.  Ellisbnrg,  N.  Y.  He  was  a  son  of  Sarah' 
(Bemis)  Dickinson,  the  ninth  child  of  David  and  Molly 
D.  Bemis.     Four  children: 

i.  George®  Dickinson,  is  a  Methodist  minister 
somewhere  out  West. 

ii.     Edwin®  Dickinson,  lives  at  Ellisburg. 

Hi.    Joseph®  Dickinson,  not  living. 

iv.  Wesley®  Dickinson,  res.  Ellisburg.  Served  in 
the  late  war. 

(3)  Edwin'  Bemis,  married  first,  EHza  Duncan,  of 
Dummerston;  second,  Ann  Crossfield;  reside  in  East 
Ashford,  N.  Y.;  farmer.     Two  children: 

i.  Charles®  Bemis,  married  LavoniaNemires.  Had 
three  children.     He  died  in  the  late  Avar  from  sickness. 

ii.  Julia®  Bemis,  married  Hudson  Chamberlain. 
Two  children.     Ees.  West  Valley,  Cattaraugus  Co.,  N.  Y. 

(3)  Emily'  Bemis,  born  at  Dummerston,  married 
Alander  Dickinson.  She  died  at  Ellisburg,  Sept.,  1849. 
Had  six  children.  Nothing  is  known  of  them,  except 
"Ashell®  Dickinson,  who  served  as  a  ranger  during  the 
late  war;  went  through  thirty  or  forty  engagements,  and 
came  out  without  injury." 

(4)  Lewis'  M.  Bemis,  mar.  Naomi  Cushman.  Three 
children:  /.  Harriet®  Bemis,  married,  and  living  at 
Pleasant  Valley,  Oclair  Co.,  Wis.     Two  others  dead. 

(5)  Jesse'  H.  Bemis,  born  1818,  at  Dummerston, 
Vt.,  mar.  Pamelia  Cole.    Res.  E.  Ashford.     Methodists. 

(G)  Mary  Ann'  Bemis,  born  at  Dummerston,  1824, 
married  John  Emerson,  of  Ellisburg.     Three  children: 


THE    BEMIS   FAMILY.  151 

15 

i.  Annette.®     //.  Ossian.®     Hi.  A  son/  who  died  at  Big 
Prairie,  Minnesota. 

(7)  Abigail'  Bemis,  unknown. 

(8)  Harriet'  Bemis,  unknown. 

(9)  Jane'  Bemis,  born  18'^9,  at  Dnmmerston,  Vt., 
mar.  James  Peabody.  Res.  West  Valley,  Cattaraugus 
Co.,  N.  Y.  Three  children:  James,®  Frank,®  Charles.^ 
Family  are  United  Brethren. 

(10)  Sarah'  Bemis,  born  at  Dnmmerston,  Sept., 
1S34,  married  Dennison  Wilson.  She  died  at  Spring 
Brook,  Erie  Co..  X.  Y.  Two  children:  /.  Ida®  Wilson. 
//.   Clara®  Wilson. 

(iv)  Sybil  ®  Bemis,  {Joseph,^  David  and  Mnlhj*'  Dun- 
ster,  David,^  Jona.'^  Henry, ^)  born  at  Dnmmerston,  Vt., 
Nov.,  1789,  married  1814,  Ebenezer  Hadley.  Res.  East 
Ashford,  N.  Y.  She  died  Feb.  17,  1864.  Nine  chil- 
dren, all  born  at  Dummerston,  Vt. : 

(1)  George'  Hadley,  married  first,  Nov.,  1839, 
Sarah  A.Wellman;  second,  Sallie  Weast.    Two  children: 

i.  Martha®  A.  Hadley,  mar.  Jeremiah  Vaughan. 
Res.  Iowa,  about  fifty  miles  from  Omaha,  Neb.  Two 
children:     Ida*  and  Alonzo®  Vaughan. 

a.     Sarah  ®  A.  Hadley,  died  young. 

By  second  wife  he  had: 

Hi.  Willie®  Hadley.  iv.  Hattie®  Hadley.  Res. 
Yorkshire,  N.  Y.     Farmers.     Methodists. 

(2)  Adaline  '  L.  Hadley,  died  young. 

(3)  Oscar'  Hadley,  born  March,  1818,  mar.  Jan. 
1,  1840,  Elvira  Davenport.  Res.  East  Ashford.  Three 
children:  Marion,®  Fred.,®  Helen® — two  latter  dead. 
Marion  married  Ebenezer  Sherman,  Sept.,  1866.  Three 
children:     Fred.,'  Helen,®  (son®)  Sherman. 

(4)  Cornelius'  M.  Hadley,  born  Dec.  10,  1819, 
married  June,  1846,  (3)  Jerusha'  Chandler,  daughter  of 
ii.  Cynthia®  (Bemis)  Chandler.  Had  three  children. 
See  page  150.     Methodists. 

(5)  Ebenezer'  Bemis  Hadley,  born  Dec.  8,  1822, 
married  Jan.   2,  1848,  Miranda  Hill.     Reside  in  East 

*14 


152         HENRY    DUiSlSTER   AND    HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

15 

Ashford.  Are  Methodists  and  farmers.  From  him  we 
obtained,  through  Miss  J.  R.  Wilder,  this  record  of  the 
Bemis  family.  Have  had  three  children,  the  youngest, 
Luella,^  only  living. 

(6)  Selma^  Hadley,  died  young. 

(7)  Henry''  Hadley,  no  record. 

(8)  Horace'  Hadley,  born  May  17,  1829,  married 
Oct.,  1852,  Sarah  W.  Thomas.  Reside  in  East  Ashford. 
Farmer.     One  child:    Warren®  Hadley. 

(9)  Lestina'  S.  Hadley,  born  April  5,  1832,  mar. 
Oct.,  1852,  Andrew  Studley,  died  1873.  Res.  York- 
shire, N.  Y.  Three  children:  AHce,'  Wilber,^  Elmer' 
Studley.  Alice'  Studley  married  Dec.  24,  1874,  Edwin 
Hammond,  a  cheesemaker. 

(v)  Asa®  Bemis,  was  the  fifth  child  of  Joseph  and 
Jemima  (Stoddard)  Bemis.  No  account  of  him  has 
been  obtained. 

(vi)  Joanna®  Bemis,  the  sixth  child  of  Joseph  and 
Jemima  (Stoddard)  Bemis,  born  1797,  mar.  Feb.,  1824, 
Rufus  Hadley.  She  died  at  Dummerston,  Jan.  4,  1840. 
Methodists.     Seven  children,  all  born  at  Dummerston: 

(1)  Laurella'  J.  Hadley,  born  May  9,  1825,  mar. 
E.  M.  Wiltre.  One  child:  Nettie,'  who  died  Feb.  25, 
1875.     Res.  East  Ashford.     Presbyterians. 

(2)  Edward'  L.  Hadley,  born  April  26,  1827,  mar. 
Harriette  Clark,  of  Westminster.  Reside  near  White- 
water, Walworth  Co.,  Wis.     Farmer.     No  children. 

(3)  Charles'  N.  Hadley,  born  Nov.  2,  1830,  mar. 
June  21,  1857,  Lorancy  Wilder.  Res.  East  Ashford. 
Farmer.  Four  children:  Agnes,' Charles'  M»,  Valen- 
tine' R.,  Laura'  Hadley. 

(4)  Laura'  A.  Hadley,  born  Oct.  1,  1832.  Res. 
Ypsilanti,  Wishtenaw  Co.,  Mich.  She  is  a  bookkeeper. 
Presbyterian.     Unmarried. 

(5)  Horace'  W.  Hadley,  born  Sept.  10,  1835,  mar. 
Sedelia  Boleyn,  of  Hinsdale,  N.  H.  Res.  Ypsilanti. 
A  druggist.     Presbyterian. 

(6)  Warren.'  J.  Hadley,  born  Dec.  28,  1837. 
Methodist.     He  enlisted  in  the  summer  of  1862;  was 


THE    BEMIS    FAMILY,  153 

IS 

taken  prisoner  at  Gettysburg,  July,  18fi3;  died  on  Belle 
Island,  near  Richmond,  Va.,  Jan,  10,  1864,     Unm. 

(7)  Evalixe'  J.  Hadley,  born  Oct,  11),  1839,  mar, 
C,  W,  Sherman,  Jan.  1,  1873.  Kes,  East  Ashford. 
Methodist. 

3.  Benjamin^  Bemis,  was  the  third  child  of  David 
and  Molly  (Dnnster)  Bemis,  Of  him  we  have  no  knowl- 
edge, except  that  "he  went  West," 

4,  Elias*  Bemis,  {David  and  MoUij^  D.,  David,^ 
Jonathav,^  Henrij,^)  born  July  15,  1767,  mar,  Jan.  11, 
1789,  Experience  Hendrick.  He  owned  the  best  farm 
in  Brattleboro,  He  died  June  2,  180G,  from  exposure 
after  having  had  the  measles.  Her  grief  for  his  death 
made  her  partially  insane.     They  had  six  children: 

(i)  Lemuel'  K.  Bemis,  born  Oct.  22,  1790,  at  Dum- 
merston,  Yt,,  married  Betsey  Buck,  of  D.  He  was  a 
blacksmith.  Died  at  Brattleboro,  July  30,  1854,  Uni- 
tarian.    Had  six  children: 

(1)  Maxdana''  Bemis,  married  William  Chase,  of 
Brattleboro.     She  died,  leaving  three  children: 

i,  Annie  ^  Chase,  who  married  John  Whiting,  a 
merchant,  at  Waterbury,  Conn. 

//.  Alice*  Chase,  married  Albert  Boyden,  hotel 
keeper,  Brattleboro. 

Hi.     Willis*  Bemis  Chase,  who  res.  in  Brattleboro. 

(2)  Betsey'  Bemis,  mar,  Charles  Lawrence,  hotel 
keeper.     Two  sons: 

i.     Albert*  Lawrence,  gone  to  Australia. 
ii.    Frank*  Lawrence,  is  clerk  in  a  dry  goods  store 
at  Brattleboro. 

(3)  Maria'  Bemis,  married  Lewis  Burdit,  of  Brat- 
tleboro.    She  died,  leaving  a  daughter. 

(4)  Cyrene'  Bemis,  is  a  blacksmith,  an  excellent 
and  ingenious  workman,  in  Brattleboro. 

(5)  Willis  '  Bemis,  married  Eliza  Day,  of  Chester- 
field. She  died,  leaving  two  children,  a  son  and  daugh- 
ter.    Tlie  son*  is  express  agent  from  Xorth  Adams  to 


154        HENRY    DUNSTER   AND   HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

15 

Boston.  The  daughter  at  home.  Willis^  B.  married 
second,  the  widow  of  a  soldier,  an  amiable  woman.  He 
(Willis  ■')  has  been  for  fifteen  years  express  agent  at 
Brattleboro. 

(G)  Lemuel'  Bemis,  the  youngest  child  of  Lemuel 
K.  B.,  went  with  seven  other  yoimg  men  prospecting 
years  ago  in  California,  and  has  not  been  heard  of  since. 
Family  Congregationalists. 

(ii)  Abner®  Bemis,  born  March  8,  1792,  mar.  March 
5,  1818,  Boliva  Tracy.  He  died  Jan.  8,  1854.  Was  a 
Congregationalist.     Had  six  children: 

(1)  James'  Bemis,  was  a  nail  maker.  A  machine 
for  making  nails  was  invented  by  him.  He  married 
Mary  Chipman,  of  Shoreham,  Vt.,  died  in  Pittsburgh, 
Pa.,  leaving  a  son  and  daughter. 

(2)  Ann  Eliza'  Bemis,  died  .young. 

(3)  Juniette'  Bemis,  mar.  a  custom  house  officer 
at  Rouse  Point.     Have  one  son  and  four  daughters. 

(4)  Erskine'  Bemis,  is  a  rich  farmer  in  Norfolk, 
New  York. 

(5)  Makensie'  Bemis,  is  a  carriage  maker  at  Saxon 
River,  Yt.     Has  two  children. 

{(",)  Mary'  Bemis,  married  Alfred  Wright,  a  mer- 
chant, in  Brattleboro.  He  is  deacon  of  the  Congrega- 
tional Church.     Four  children. 

(iii)  Clarissa®  Bemis,  born  March  28,  1794,  mar. 
Jonathan  French,  nephew  of  William  French,  the  first 
man  killed  in  the  Revolution.     Four  children: 

(1)  Clarissa'  French,  mar.  Joel  Miller,  of  Dum- 
merston.  They  have:  i.  Henry  ®  French,  who  married 
Hellen  Dutton,  of  Dummerston,  and  lives  with  her 
father.     They  are  farmers. 

(2)  Henry'  French,  is  unmarried,  and  lives  on  the 
beautiful  farm  in  Dummerston,  where  his  father  and 
mother  died. 

(3)  AVarren'  French,  went  to  California,  and  died 
of  the  cholera  soon  after. 

(4)  Sarah'  French,  married  John  Day,  of  Ches- 
terfield, N.  H.,  died  July  8,  1864.  Family  Congrega- 
tionalists.    No  children. 


THE    BEMIS    FAMILY.  155 

15 

(iv)  Sally*  Bemis,  born  March  18,  1796,  married 
Sept.,  1820,  Asa  Miller,  of  Dnmmerston.  He  was  a  car- 
riage maker.  Congregationalists.  Slie  died  Feb.  14, 
1870.     Two  children: 

(1)  Catherine^  Miller,  married  Orrin  Slate,  a 
merchant.  He  sold  his  store  in  Brattleboro,  and  went 
to  Winstead,  Conn.,  to  establish  another.  He  arrived 
on  Saturday;  went  to  church  three  times  on  Sunday,  and 
was  as  well  as  usual  when  he  went  to  his  room  in  the 
second  story  of  the  public  house.  He  was  found  in  the 
morning  under  his  window  dead.  She  has  two  daugh- 
ters: Genevieve^  Slate,  who  lives  with  her  mother,  and 
Emily®  Slate,  who  married  Henry  Thompson,  a  gold- 
smith, of  Brattleboro.  His  widow,  after  four  years' 
Avidowhood,  married  April,  1876,  Alfred  Stevens,  a  Con- 
gregational minister  for  35  years  in  Westminster  West 
Parish,  Vt. 

(2)  Sidney'  Miller,  is  a  first  rate  carriage  maker. 
He  married  first,  Emily  Dickinson,  daughter  of  Asehel 
Dickinson;  second,  a  daughter  of  Eev.  W.  S.  Balch,  a 
Universalist  minister.  One  son,®  ten  years  old.  Family 
Unitarians. 

(v)  Lavina®  Bemis,  born  Aug.  16,  1798,  married 
Edward  Whitney,  hotel  keeper  in  Keene,  N.  H.,  Jan., 
1823.  She  died  Aug.  25,  1854.  They,  had  seven  chil- 
dren— all  Unitarians: 

(1)  Elias'  Whitney,  has  been  twice  married,  and 
now  lives  in  Boston;  clerk  in  Martin,  Bates  &  Son's  fur 
store.  Elm  street. 

(2)  Elizabeth  '  Whitney,  married  George  Sawyer, 
a  hatter,  Keene,  X.  H. 

(3)  Lemuel'  Whitney,  was  killed  in  a  building 
blown  up  in  Hague  street,  New  York. 

(4)  Charles'  Whitney,  married  Delia  Safford,  of 
St.  Albans,  Yt.  Reside  in  LaCrosse,  Wis.  Is  in  the 
mercantile  business. 

(5)  Edward'  Whitney,  died  at  Fort  Covington 
years  ago.  He  left  a  wife,  who  has  since  died.  Had 
no  children. 


156         HENRY    DUNSTER   AND   HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

15 

(G)     Mary'  Jane  Whitney,  married  Edward  Up- 

ham,  merchant  at  Waukegan,  111.     Has  one  son/ 

Upham,  who  is  about  to  enter  college. 

(7)     HattieMVhitney,  married Robinson.    He 

is  a  sealer  of  weights  and  measures  in  New  York  city. 
Have  no  children. 

(vi)  Eliza®  Bemis,  {Elias,^  David  and  Molly  ^  D., 
David,^  JonaJ  Henry,'^)  born  Aug.  3,  1804,  mar.  Dec. 
19,  1822,  Loran  Smith,  of  Monkton,  Vt.  In  1848  re- 
moved to  Illinois.  Presbyterians.  From  Mrs.  Smith 
we  had  the  foregoing  record  of  4.  Elias  ^  Bemis'  family. 
She  res.  in  Galesburg,  111.  They  have  had  six  children, 
four  daughters  and  two  sons — both  sons  died  young. 

(1)  Betsey  '  Smith,  married  Milo  D.  Cooke,  a  law- 
yer, of  Cornwall,  Vt.     They  had  one  son, ^  Cooke. 

He  is  a  lawyer,  and  is  in  business  in  Galesburg  with  his 
father.  He  went  a  three  months'  man  to  Cairo,  111.,  to 
guard  that  place;  was  absent  six  months.  He  is  a  grad- 
uate of  Knox  College,  Galesburg.  He  married  a  lady  in 
Ogdensburg,  JST.  Y.,  and  has  a  daughter.^  ''So  you 
see,"  adds  Mrs.  Smith,  ''that  I  am  great-grandmother.'^ 

(2)  Laura'  Smith,  mar.  Jan.,  1852,  Henry  White, 
of  Dresden,  Ohio,  a  millwright.  He  was  with  the  army 
two  years,  building  bridges  and  mills  in  Tennessee.  Mr. 
White  has  just  built  the  first  flouring  mill  in  Galveston, 
Texas,  a  city  of  40,000  inhabitants.  They  reside  in . 
Omaha,  Neb.,  but  will  soon  remove  to  Texas.  They 
have  one  son,  Harold^  White,  who  is  a  graduate  of  the 
Business  College  in  Omaha,  and  three  daughters,  Annie,® 
Helena®  and  Bessie®  White,  who  are  at  school  at  Omaha. 

(3)  Ursula''  Smith,  married  Charles  Norton,  a  far- 
mer, of  Addison?  Vt.     Three  children: 

i.  Henry®  Norton,  is  a  station  agent  at  Duncan, 
111.,  on  the  C.  B.  &  Q.  R.  R. 

ii.  Jennie®  Norton,  is  a  teacher  in  the  graded 
school  at  Galesburg. 

Hi.     Herrick®  Norton,  is  at  school  in  Galesburg. 

(4)  Mary  '  Smith,  married  Lothar  Becker,  of  Hen- 
derson, 111.     They  reside  in  Galveston,  Texas.     He  is  in 


THE    BEMIS    FAMILY.  157 

15 

company  with  Mr.  White.  They  are  doing  a  large  busi- 
ness in  a  flouring  mill.  He  was  four  years  with  tlie 
army;  stationed  at  Clarkesville,  Tenn.;  was  Lieutenant 
of  artillery.  His  wife,  with  her  children,  w\as  with  him 
two  years.     Have  four  children: 

i.  Fked.^  Becker,  is  a  pianist.  He  took  the  gold 
medal  at  the  Chicago  College  of  Music. 

a.     Frank  ^  Becker,  works  in  his  father's  mill. 
Hi.    Louis,*  and  iv.  Pauline  *  Becker,  are  at  school. 

5.  Abner^  Bemis,  the  fifth  child  of  David  and 
Molly*  (Dunster)  Bemis,  was  a  Baptist  minister.  He 
married  Katie  Freeman;  was  settled  in  Halifax,  Yt. 
He  died  at  that  place,  and  willed  his  property  to  that 
church.  They  now  have  the  benefit  of  it.  He  was 
much  beloved  by  all.     They  had  no  children. 

6.  Levi  *  Bemis,  {David  and  Molly  *  D. )  married,  and 
removed  into  New  York  State.  No  further  knowledge 
of  him.  ]\frs.  Loran  Smith  thinks  he  died  in  Dum- 
merston,  Yt. 

7.  Asa*  Bemis,  the  seventh  child  of  David  and 
Molly*  (Dunster)  Bemis,  went  West,  but  returned  and 
died  in  Dummerston.     He  was  born  in  Brattleboro. 

8.  Samuel*  Bemis,  {David  and  MoJhj^  D.,)  went 
West  also.     Nothing  further  known  of  him. 

9.  Sarah  *  Bemis,  the  youngest  child  of  David  and 
Molly  (Dunster)  Bemis,  married  Paul  Dickinson.  Ees. 
Ellisburg,  Jefferson  Co.,  N.  Y.,  where  she  died.  They 
had  six  children: 

(i)  Elias^  Dickinson,  mar.  Anna  Attridge.  Had 
six  children.   "  Cannot  even  tell  their  names."  (E.B.H.) 

(ii)  George®  Dickinson,  mar.  (1)  Priscilla'  Bemis, 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Jemima  (S.)  Bemis.  Four 
children:     George,  Edwin,  Joseph,  Wesley.     {See  ante.) 

(iii)  Benjamin^  Dickinson,  was  formerly  a  sailor; 
was  on  a  whaling  vessel  some  years;  visited  every  seaport 
of  importance  in  the  world;  spent  two  years  in  South 
America;  has  visited  Greenland  and  Palestine;  was  gone 
from  home  seventeen  years;  is  now  a  farmer;  resides  in 
Brookfield,  Missouri.     He  mar.  Lucy  Attridge,  daugli- 


158         HENKY    DUNSTER   AND   HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

16 

ter  of  Xath.  and  Polly  (Bemis)  Attridge.  Have  one 
daughtei",  married,  and  lives  at  Brooklield. 

(iv)     Asa*  Dickinson,  d.  young,  at  Dummerston,Vt. 

(v)  Alcander*  Dickinson,  resides  inBellville,  is  a 
merchant.  He  married  Emily''  Bemis,  daughter  of  Jos. 
and  Abigail  (Hadley)  Bemis.     {See  ante.) 

(vi)  Sally®  Dickinson,  mar.  Barney  Poole.  She 
became  insane,  was  sent  to  the  almshouse.  She  was 
drowned  in  Black  River,  whether  accidental  or  other- 
wise was  never  known.     Five  children : 

(1)  AsA^  (2)  Lionel'.  (3)  Eliza'.  (4)-(5)  Names 
unknown.      "  I  think  there  are  none  living."  (E,  B.  H.) 

10.  iii.  iruBBARD*  DuNSTER,  {Dcivid,^  Jonathan,^ 
Henry, ^)  the  third  child  of  David  and  Mary  (Russel) 
Dunster,  was  born  in  Cambridge  (Menotomy),  probably 
in  1735.  He  inherited  two-thirds  of  his  father's  real 
estate  at  the  decease  of  his  mother.  He  bought  of  Mary 
Dunster  (probably  his  mother),  for  £10,  "a  tract  of  up- 
land and  meadow  in  the  easterly  part  of  Westminster, 
and  is  part  of  the  original  house  lot  No.  76,  and  it  begins 
at  a  stake  and  stones  at  the  corner  of  Henry  '  Cartrite ' 
Dunster s  land,  containing  about  thirty  acres."  This 
deed  was  given  May  13,  1772,  but  Avas  not  recorded  till 
Au;g.  26,  1805.  He  also  bought,  Aug.  26,  1781,  of  John 
Bailey,  of  Sterling,  and  Dudley  Bailey,  of  Westminster, 
for  £25,  one-half  of  a  tract  of  land  in  the  southeasterly 
part  of  Westminster,  containing  eighteen  acres.  This 
deed  was  not  recorded  till  Sept.  14,  1805.  ''He  was 
pressed  into  the  army,  but  refused  to  go.  He  concealed 
himself  at  the  house  of  a  man  named  Lj'on,  and  when 
inquiry  Was  made  for  him,  the  reply  was,  that  if  he  was 
not  in  the  lion's  den,  they  did  not  know  where  he  was." 
{Mrs.  Estahrooh.)  He  married  Aug.  31,  1769,  publish- 
ed Aug.  2,  Ruth  Bailey,  probably  a  sister  of  John  and 
Dudley,  of  whom  he  purchased  the  half  tract  of  land. 
They  were  married  by  Rev.  A.  Rice.  In  the  record  at 
Westminster,   her  name  is    "Ruth   Baley."     She   died 

March  19,  1788.     He  died ,  intestate.     The 

estate  was  appraised  at  1692.07.     The   inventory  was 


HUBBARD*    DUNSTER.  159 

16 

sworn  to  Oct.  15.  1805,  by  Hubbard   Dunster,  his  son, 
who  was  administrator.     They  had  six  children: 

1.  Ephraim  Dunster,  born  April  18,  1770. 

2.  Hubbard  Dunster,  born  Oct,  4,  1772  or  3. 

3.  Rebeckah  Dunster,  born  April  3,  1775. 

4.  Jason  Dunster,  born  April  3,  1778. 

5.  ]S"athan  Dunster,  born  May  23,  1780. 

6.  Jonathan  Dunster,  b.  Sept.  19,  1784,  d.  young. 

1.  EPHRAiii*  Dunster,  {Hubbard,^  David,^  Jona.,'^ 
Henry, ^)  the  first  child  of  Hubbard  and  Ruth  (Bailey) 
Dunster,  was  born  at  Westminster,  iVpril  18,  1770.  It 
is  believed  he  married  and  had  children.  He  appears  to 
have  been  unsuccessful  in  the  race  for  riches,  and  ap- 
plied to  public  beneficence,  and  was  provided  for.  He 
was  living  in  Westminster  in  Aug.,  1857. 

2.  Hubbard*  Dunster,  {Huhhard,^  David,^  Jona.,"^ 
Henry,^)  the  second  child  of  Hubbard  and  Ruth  (Bailey) 
Dunster,  born  at  Westminster,  Oct.  4,  1772,  married  at 
Gardner,  May  1,  1797,  '"Becca"  Kendall,  of  that  place, 
born  Aug.  1,  1774.  They  Avere  published  April  11, 
1797.  He  went  to  Gardner  as  early  as  1796,  the  year 
before  his  marriage.  Here  he  purchased,  in  1801,  of 
Sally  and  Jonas  Eaton,  about  fifty  acres  of  land,  for 
which  he  paid  8432.  A  part  of  this  land  lay  on  "  Otter 
River."  The  turnpike  divided  the  estate;  Sally's  part 
being  on  the  south  and  Jonas'  jiart  on  the  north  side. 
It  was  their  portion  of  their  father's  (Ebenezer  Eaton) 
estate.  In  these  deeds  he  is  called  a  cooper.  He  was 
also  a  box  maker,  and  tradition  says  he  was  a  drummer. 
At  Gardner  he  accumulated  a  handsome  property,  and 
occupied  a  fair  position  among  the  wealthy  people  of 
that  town.  Adversity  came.  He  lost  the  whole  or  a 
great  part  of  his  careful  earnings,  which  appear  to  have 
gone  into  the  hands  of  Josiah  Howe,  of  Templeton. 
Giving  up  to  despondency,  he  died  at  Gardner,  Dec.  3, 
1818.  His  widow  did  the  most  she-could  for  the  chil- 
dren. She  died  "at  Melrose,  Mass.,  Aug.,  1839.  ^hey 
left  eight  children. 

The  other  children  of  Hubbard  and  Ruth  (Bailey) 
Dunster  were: 
15 


160         HENRY    DUNSTER   AND   HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

16 

3.  Rebeckah^  Dunster,  born  April  3,  1775.  "We 
have  no  authentic  account  of  her.  Among  the  Dunster 
papers  we  find  a  manuscript  of  about  seventy  pages, writ- 
ten very  closely,  and  in  a  hand  somewhat  resembling 
President  Dunster's.  The  first  part  is  gone.  It  is  a 
catechism,  with  Calvin's  views  fully  stated.  The  date 
of  the  MS.  is  not  in  it,  but  the  use  of  v  for  u,  and  the 
peculiarity  of  the  J,  indicate  a  great  age.  It  has  the 
signature  ''  Eichard  Harrison,"  in  ink  and  letters  like 
the  MS.  It  has  also  "  David  Dunster,"  in  a  later  hand. 
In  Aug.,  1857,  this  MS.  was  given  to  Edward  S.  Dun- 
ster by  "an  old  lady  in  Westminster,  Mass.,  whose 
maiden  name  was  'Dunster,'  as  being  an  old  family 
relic."  The  tradition  of  it  is  not  remembered,  and  we 
can  refer  to  Eebeckah^  Dunster  only  as  answering  his 
■description. 

4.  Jason  ^  Dunster,  born  April  3,  1778.  Of  him 
nothing  further  is  now  known. 

5.  Nathan'^  Dunster,  {Huhhard,*  Dnvid,^  Jona.,"^ 
Henry,^)  born  May  23,  1780,  was  2)ublished  July  7,  mar. 
July  22,  1810,  to  Hannah  Darby,  of  Fitchburg.  He 
died  Aug.  18,  1850.  {Westminstej'  Records.)  Further 
search  of  the  records  in  Westminster  ought  to  be  made 
for  these  families. 

6.  Jonathan  \DuNSTER,  born  Sept.  19,  1784,  died 
when  five  or  six  years  old.     [Mrs.  Estahroolc. ) 

These  four  children  of  Hubbard*  Dunster  are  inter- 
polated for  convenient  reference  before  the  eight  chil- 
dren of  Hubbard^  and  Becca  (Kendall)  Dunster,  who 
were : 

i.      Martin*  Dunster,  born  Jan.  3,  1798. 

ii,     Pruda"  Dunster,  born  Jan.  23,  1800. 

iii.    Rebecca*  Dunster,  born  Feb.  11,  1802. 

iv.    Louisa"  Dunster,  born  Feb.  18,  1805. 

V.      Asaph"  Dunster,  born  July  G,  1807. 

vi.     Mary"  Jane  Dunster,  born  Nov.  12,  1809. 

vii:   Lydia"  Dunster,  born  Jan.  24,  1816. 

yiii.  Dapheny"  Leland  Dunster,  b.  July  18,  1818. 

1.  Martin "  Dunster,  {Huhhard,^  Huhhard,*' David,^ 
Jonatlian,^  Henri), ^)  was  born  in  Gardner,  Jan.  3,  1798. 


MARTIN^    DUNSTER.  161 

16 

He  lived  in  Gardner, was  a  physician,  and  ])racticed  medi- 
cine there.  He  received  his  medical  diploma  from  the 
Electic  Medical  College  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  but  at  what 
date  is  not  ascertained.  He  bought  for  8750,  Xov.  14, 
1821,  of  Joseph  Howe,  the  estate  his  father  formerly  lived 
on,  and  owned  other  land  in  the  westerly  part  of  Gardner. 
He  was  a  prominent  citizen,  having  filled  many  town 
offices.  In  1837  he  represented  the  town  of  Gardner  in 
the  General  Conrt.  He  married  Feb.  13,  1833,  Sarah 
Nichols,  born  Sept.  14,  1800,  at  Westminster.  She  died 
July  2,  1845,  leaving  no  heirs.  After  the  death  of  his 
wife  he  went  to  Boston,  and  Avas  in  a  drug  store  for  a 
few  years.  "  In  1850  (his  second  wife  says)  he  went  to 
Rochester,  Yt.,  to  Asa  Whitney's.  His  mother  was  sis- 
ter to  my  husband's  first  wife,  and  Asa  Whitney's  wife  is 
my  sister,  and  that  is  where  I  became  acquainted  with 
him.  We  were  married  in  Rochester,  Vt.,  June  9,  1852. 
Our  union  was  a  happy  one." 

Emma  C.  Chamberlain,  Martin  Dunster's  second  wife, 
was  born  in  Bethel,  Vt.,  Feb.  5,  1820.  In  1853  they  re- 
moved to  Quinc}',  111.,  where  he  practiced  medicine  un- 
til his  death,  Dec.  2,  1854,  leaving  no  children  by  either 
wife.  From  other  sources  we  learn  that  he  was  an 
"affectionate  husband,  and  a  highly  respected  citizen, 
was  a  man  of  sterling  integrity,  very  influential,  for 
many  years  a  zealous  member  of  the  School  Committee 
in  Gardner,  and  represented  the  town  in  the  State  Legis- 
lature for  several  years."  "He  was  liberal  in  religious 
sentiments.  His  religion  consisted  in  dealing  justly, 
loving  mercy,  and  walking  humbly  before  God.  This 
he  lived  up  to."  After  his  death  his  widow,  Emma 
(Chamberlain)  Dunster,  married  Stephen  G.  Tyler,  of 
Quincy,  his  second  wife.  Mr.  Tyler  was  the  same  who 
married  Mary®  Jane,  sister  of  Martin  Dunster.  She  has 
since  deceased,  and  was  buried  at  Quincj. 

ii.  Pruda®  Duxster,  born  Jan.  23,  1800,  at  Gardner, 
married .  1818,  Isaac  Fitts,  Jr.  In  a  Bible  belong- 
ing to  Mr.  Withington,  of  Mason,  X.  H.,  who  married 
a  Miss  Fitts,  is  this  record:  "Isaac  Fitts,  Jr.,  and 
Prudy  Dunster  married  1818,  by  Rev.  Mr.  Osgood." 
Mr.  S.  Osgood  was  minister  at  Springfield,  Mass.     Mr. 


162         HENEY    DUNSTER  AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

16 

W.  says  that  the  Fitts  who  married  Prudy  Dunster  went 
"  West"  several  years  ago.  She  died  at  Rochester,  Vt., 
or  N.  Y.?  about  1830.     Had  no  children. 

iii.  Eebecca®  Dunster,  born  Feb.  11,  1802,  mar. 
March  4?  1827,  Gilman  Robbins,  of  Leominster,  Mass. 
He  is  still  living,  a  farmer  and  gardener,  in  Leominster. 
She  died  June  24  or  26,  1854,  at  Melrose,  Mass.,  and 
was  buried  at  the  new  cemetery  in  Leominster.  They 
had  six  children: 

1.  George''  Robbins,  {Gilman  and  Rebecca^  D., 
Huhharcli"  Hubbard,^  David,^  Jonathan,'^  Henry,^)  born 
Dec.  5,  1827,  in  Leominster,  is  a  tin  and  sheet  iron 
worker,  and  dealer  in  stoves.  Resides  in  Fitchburg, 
Mass.  He  married  Charlotte  M.  Dennis,  daughter  of 
Thomas  and  Ruth  —  Dennis,  a  farmer,  of  Barre,  Mass. 
They  have  three  children: 

(i)  Charles®  Robbins,  born  Kov.  19,  1859,  died 
Jan.  28,  1860. 

(ii)     Henry ^  Dennis  Robbins,  born  ISTov.  3,  1864. 

(iii)  Freddie^  Robbins,  born  Jan.  11,  1869,  died 
Sept.  4,  same  year. 

2.  Charles'  Robbins,  born  May  9,  1830,  at  Leo- 
miilster,  by  trade  is  a  mason.  He  mar.  May  22,  1851, 
Angeline  Kinsman  Wilson,  daughter  of  John  Bucknam 
and  Mary  Goodwin  Wilson,  both  of  Bedford,  Mass.  He 
is  a  mason  by  trade  also.     They  have  two  children: 

(i)    Joseph®  Robbins,  born  May  20,  1856. 

(ii)   Carrie®  Louisa  Robbins,  born  Jan.  23,  1859. 

3.  Sarah'  Brown  Robbins,  born  June  8,  1833,  at 
Leominster,  was  named  for  her  uncle  Asaph  Dunster's 
wife.  She  resided  some  years  in  Boston.  She  was  mar. 
Oct.  5,  1875,  to  Martin  Hatch,  son  of  Isaac  and  Lavina 
(Allen)  Hatch,  of  Pembroke.  He  had  been  engaged  in 
manufacturing  for  considerable  time,  but  has  now  retired 
to  a  farm  in  East  Pembroke,  Mass.  We  are  much  in- 
debted to  Mrs.  Hatch  for  memo,  of  her  father's  family 
and  their  descendants. 

4.  Joseph'  Robbins,  {GUman  and  Rebecca^  D., 
Hubbard,^  Hubbard,*  David,^  Jonatlian,''  Henri/,')  the 


JOSEPH'    ROBBINS.  1G3 

fourth  child  of  riihiian  and  Rebecca  (Dnnster)  Robbin.s, 
was  born  Se})t.  12,  1834,  at  Leominster,  He  graduated 
at  the  Jefferson  Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  and  in 
1858  settled  at  Quincy,  Illinois,  where  he  has  an  exten- 
sive practice.  He  is  President  of  the  Adams  County 
Medical  Society,  and  also  President  of  the  Medical 
Pathological  Society  in  Quincy,  and  a  member  of  the 
American  Medical  Society.  Is  a  prominent  politician 
in  that  city,  and  much  engaged  in  public  enterprises; 
takes  very  high  rank  in  Masonic  institutions,  and  is  2d 
officer  of  the  Illinois  Grand  Lodge.  He  married  at  Mel- 
rose, Mass.,  June  4,  1SG3,  Louisa  Amelia,  daughter  of 
Henry  A.  and  Elizabeth  (Temple)  Norris,  of  Melrose. 
In  religious  views  an  LTnitarian.     Have  no  children. 

5.  Caroline'  Augusta  Robbins,  born  Feb.  16, 
18-40,  at  Leominster,  married  at  Fitchburg,  Dec.  29, 
1863,  Reuben  Dow,  of  Nantucket,  Mass.  He  is  a  tin 
plate  worker,  and  trader  in  stoves  and  such  materials. 
They  reside  in  Fitchburg.     Have  two  children : 

(i)     Walter^  CIilman  Dow,  born  Dec.  30,  1869. 
(ii)    Charlotte^  Rebecca  Dow,  born  April  4,  1873. 

6.  Jerome'  Augustine  Robbins,  born  Nov.  13, 
1844,  is  a  baker  by  trade,  and  resides  in  Charlestown, 
Mass.,  unmarried. 

iv.  Louisa^  Dunster,  the  fourth  child  of  Hubbard 
and  Becca  (Kendall)  Dunster,  was  born  at  Gardner,  Feb. 
18,  1805.     She  died  there,  1875,  unmarried. 

V.  Asaph*'  Dunster,  {Huhbnrd,^  Hubbard,*  Da cid,^ 
Jona.,'  JleHi-i/,^)  the  fifth  child  of  Hubbard  and  Becca 
(Kendall)  Dunster,  was  born  July  6,  1807.  At  the  time 
of  his  father's  death  he  was  eleven  years  old.  The  fam- 
ily had  been  kept  together  until  that  time;  but  the  loss 
of  property  and  his  untimely  end  appear  to  have  broken 
it  up.  The  family  struggled  on  as  best  they  could.  He 
learned  the  trade  of  a  mason,  and  a  trace  of  him  is  found 
in  Acton  and  Maiden,  Mass.,  and  soon  after  at  Boston. 
In  1837  his  name  is  found  in  the  Boston  Directory  as  a 
mason  living  at  604  Washington  street.  This  was  three 
years  after  his  marriage,  and  two  years  after  the  birth  of 
*15 


164        HENKY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

16 

their  first  cliilcl.  Where  he  was  in  the  interim  is  uncer- 
tain, possibly  at  Hingham,  the  residence  of  his  father- 
in-law.  From  Boston  he  went  to  Quincy,  111.,  where  he 
carried  on  his  business  till  1863  or  4,  when  he  removed 
to  Chicago.     He  married  at   Hingham,   Mass.,  Jan.  2, 

1834,  Sarah  Brown  Stoddard,  daughter  of  Marshall  and 
Anna  Stoddard.  She,  Anna,  was  born  June  20,  1781, 
and  died  June  20,  1842.  Sarah  Brown  (Stoddard),  wife 
of  Asaph  Dunster,  died  Dec.  22,  1870,  aged  63,  having 
been  born  July  13,  1807,  at  Hingham.  He  died  in 
Chicago,  Sept.  1,  1867.     They  had  six  children: 

1.     Lydia^  Ann  Dunster,  born  at ,  March  30, 

1835.  She  married  Dec.  4,  1867,  Ambrose  Kinley. 
They  live  in  Mendota,  Hlinois.     Have  had  two  children: 

(i)     Sarah  ^  Ann  Kinley,  born  Nov.  30,  1868.     She 
died  March  14,  1869. 
(ii)    May*  Coretta  Kinley,  born  Feb.  15,  1870. 

3.  Sarah  ^  Caroline  Dunster,  b.  Sept.  12,  1836, 
at  Gardner?  mar.  April  28,  1859,  Warren  M.  Brown,  of 
Quincy,  111.  They  went  to  Chicago  in  1861;  thence  to 
Aurora,  111.,  two  years;  thence  to  Chicago  again;  thence 
to  St.  Louis;  thence  back  to  Chicago  again.  At  these 
places  he  had  followed  his  trade — painting.  He  is  now, 
1872,  President  of  the  Metalic  Roofing  Co.,  Chicago, 
and  lives  at  519  Hubbard  street.  They  are  both  Uni- 
versalists  in  religious  belief.     Have  had  four  children: 

(i)  Elmer*  Warren  Brown,  born  May  26,  1861, 
died  Feb.  22,  1870. 

(ii)     Emma*  Carrie  Brown,  born  Aug.  4,  1863. 
(iii)   Freeman*  Edwin  Brown,  born  Sept.  20,  1865. 
(iv)    Sarah*  Gracie  Brown,  born  May  28,  1869. 

3.  Rebeckah'  Henrietta  Dunster,  (AsapJi,^) 
was  born  Aug.  4,  1838,  at  Gardner.  She  married  James 
Elmore  Coe,  at  Quincy,  Oct.  6,  1861.  He  is  a  painter, 
and  worked  in  Quincy,  Aurora,  and  1863  in  Chicago,  at 
that  business.  In  1872  he  had  billiard  rooms  and  saloon 
at  his  residence,  No.  809  West  Madison  street,  Chicago. 
They  are  Universalists.     Have  had  five  children: 


LUCY''   FRANCES   DUNSTER.  165 

16 

(i)  Charlie®  Coe,  born  April  20,  18G3,  died  Aug. 
23,  same  year. 

(ii)  Willie*  Earnest  Coe,  born  May  20,  18G4,  died 
Nov.  23,  1866. 

(iii)     Mary*  Jane  Coe,  born  Dec.  29,  1866. 

(iv)     Lucy*  Francis  Coe,  born  Oct.  21,  1868. 

(v)      Edgar*  Andrew  Coe,  born  Jan.  21,  1872. 

•4.  Benjamin  ^  Curtis  Dunster,  born  April  6, 1842, 
died  Aug.  19,  same  year. 

5.  Infant,'  daughter,  b.  Sept.  20,  1843,  d.  next  day. 

6.  LucY^  Frances  Dunster,  born  in  Maiden  or 
Melrose,  Dec.  16,  1847.  When  her  father  removed  to 
Quincy  she  accompanied  them,  where  she  attended  the 
splendid  public  schools  of  that  city,  and  was  an  accom- 
plished scholar  of  amiable  deportment.  A  young  lady 
from  Providence,  E.  I.,  taught  in  Quincy,  and  Lucy  was 
her  pupil.  This  young  lady  was  an  intimate  friend  of 
ours,  and  mentioned  that  a  Lucy  Dunster  lived  in  Quincy 
and  attended  her  school.  This  gave  us  a  clue.  Being 
in  Quincy  in  1872,  and  having  a  spare  day,  we  spent  it 
in  trying  to  hunt  up  the  family  to  which  she  belonged. 
We  applied  to  the  directory,  public  records,  school  de- 
partments, an  ex-Governor  of  the  State,  who  had  always 
lived  in  Quincy,  but  no  trace  of  a  Dunster  was  to  be 
found.  Being  about  to  give  up  the  search  and  abandon 
our  efforts,  we  met  an  elderly  lady  of  whom  we  inquired 
if  she  had  known  any  such  people.  She  replied  that  she 
had;  but  they  were  all  gone  from  Quincy.  She  added 
that  Dr.  Kobbins'  mother  was  a  relation  of  them,  and 
referred  to  him.  We  found  him,  and  he  contributed 
much  information  of  Hubbard  Dunster's  family. 

Lucy  Frances  Dunster  died  in  Chicago,  Oct.  27,  1865, 
unmarried. 

vi.  Mary®  Jane  Dunster,  the  sixth  child  of  Hub- 
bard* and  Becca  Dunster,  was  born  in  Gardner,  Nov. 
12,  1809,  married  Stephen  G.  Tyler,  of  Shirley,  Mass. 
They  moved  to  Quincy,  Illinois,  about  1830.  Shfe  died 
about  1855.  He  married  second,  Emma  C.  Dunster, 
the  widow  of  Dr.  Martin  Dunster.  She  died  at  Quincy, 
and  was  buried  there.     He  is  still   living   at   Quincy. 


166         HENRY    DUNSTER   AND   HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

16 

Stephen  (x.  and  Mary  Jane  (Dunster)  Tyler  had  two 
children : 

1.  Mary  '  Jane  Tyler,  born  ,  married , 

Edward  Weisenberger,  of  Quincy.     He  died  about  1860, 

and  she  has  married  second, Blakeslee.     She  had 

by  first  husband: 

(i)     A  son,^  born ,  at  Quincy.     He  was  drowned 

at  Qaincy,  after  his  mother  was  widowed, 

2.  Adaline^  Tyler,   born   ,   married  Samuel 

Dodd,  a  machinist,  at  Quincy.  In  1861  or  2,  they  re- 
moved to  Denver,  Colorado,  where  they  still  reside. 
They  have:     (i)     Adaline^  Hubbard  Dodd. 

vii.  Lydia®  Dunster,  {Hnhhard,^  Huhhard,^)  born 
in  Gardner,  Jan.  24,  1816,  married  Sept.,  1838,  Joel 
Nichols,  of  Westminster.  He  was  a  nephew  of  Dr.  Mar- 
tin Dunster's  first  wife,  Sarah  Nichols.  He  is  living  in 
Gardner,  and  is  a  chair  maker.  She  died  April  3,  1863; 
buried  at  Gardner.     They  have  three  children: 

1.  Eliza''  Ann  Nichols,  born  at  Gardner,  Sept.  26, 
1842,  married  Aug.  8,  1862,  Joseph  Heywood,  a  chair 
maker.  She  died  Aug.  20,  1867;  buried  at  Gardner. 
Had  no  children. 

2.  Frank  '  Edmund  Nichols,  {Joel  ^  and  Lydia  D. ) 
born  April  26,  1848,  at  Gardner,  is  a  chair  maker.  He 
married  Oct.  10,  1870,  Ada  L.  Sargent,  of  Brattleboro, 
Vt.,  daughter  of  Willard  and  Lavina  Sargent.  They 
have  one  child: 

(i)     Bertha^  Nichols,  born  March  1,  1875. 

3.  Emma'  Parson  Nichols,  born  at  Gardner,  Aug. 
28,  1850,  married  Oct.  11,  1872,  James  E.  Newton,  of 
Phillipston,  Mass.,  a  chair  maker,  resides  in  Gardner. 
He  is  the  son  of  Ira  and  Elizabeth  Newton. 

viii.  Dapheny®  Leland  Dunster,  was  the  young- 
est child  of  Hubbard  and  Becca  Dunster.  She  was  born 
in  Gardner,  July  18,  1818,  married  Sept.  19,  1849,  John 
Parson,  M.  D.,  of  Quincy,  111.  They  removed  to  Den- 
ver City,  Colorado,  several  years  since.  Three  children 
(history  traditional): 


THOMAS*   DUNSTER.  167 

17 

1.  Warren^  Parson,  born  at  Quincy,  man-ied. 

2.  Charles'  Parson,  b. ,  d.  young,  at  Colorado. 

3.  Hellen'  Minnie  Parson,  born ,  18G2,  liv- 
ing at  Denver,  Colorado,  1872,  unmarried. 

17,  iv.  Thomas*  Dunster,  {David,^  Jonathan,'^ 
He)inj,^)  the  fourth  child  and  second  son  of  David  and 
Molly  (Russell)  Dunster,  born  at  West  Cambridge,  now 
Arlington,  was  baptized  May  8,  1737,  at  Medford.  With 
the  rest  of  the  family  he  went  to  Westminster  in  1742. 
Unlike  his  brother,  he  went  into  the  army  in  the  French 
war,  and  was  taken  prisoner  in  the  disastrous  campaign 
against  Canada,  then  a  French  province.  From  the 
memory  of  Mrs.  Estabrook  it  is  related  that  he  was  held 
a  prisoner  at  Rutland,  Mass.,  ("this  State.")  This  is 
improbable.  No  account  of  prisoners  of  war  at  that 
date  and  place  have  been  found;  but  in  1777  there  were 
prisoners  of  Burgoyne's  army  held  there.  The  "Rut- 
land "  was  probably  Vermont.  That  will  reconcile  all 
the  events  known  of  his  army  life.  Here,  he  was  taken 
sick  of  the  "camp  disorder," — horrors  of  too  recent  date 
to  need  description, — was  visited  by  his  father,  who,  as 
we  have  seen,  fell  a  victim  to  the  disease  while  on  a 
mission  of  affection  and  kindness  to  his  sick  son.  He 
returned  to  Westminster,  and  inherited  one-third  of  his 
father's  real  estate,  as  provided  in  the  will.  Being  a 
younger  son,  the  custom  of  the  times  and  the  law  re- 
quired that  his  brother  should  have  a  double  por- 
tion. No  records  of  his  transactions  of  a  business 
kind  have  been  found.  He  appears  to  have  led  a  quiet 
life.  There  is  a  tradition  that  he  was  called  a  "  Pigeon 
Catcher."  He  married  Feb.,  1768,  Lidia  Pierce,  of 
Fitchburg.  He  died  July  18,  1819.  She  died  March 
22,  1832.  In  the  record  of  her  death  she  is  called 
"Mrs.  Lydia  Dunster."     They  had  seven  children: 

i.      David  Dunster,  born  March  14,  1770. 

ii.     Keziah  Dunster,  born  April  8,  1772. 

iii.    Anna  Dunster,  iDorn  Aug.  3,  1775. 

iv.    Thomas  Dunster,  born  Aug.  13,  1780. 

V.     Lydia  Dunster,  born  July  19,  1784. 

vi.    Precilla  Dunster,  born  March  4,  1787. 

vii.  Henry  Dunster,  born  May  21,  1792. 


168         HENRY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

17 

i.  David  ^  Dunster,  born  March  14,  1770,  married 
Nov.  24,  published  Nov.  10,  1798,  Lucy  Mundon,  of 
Hubbardston.  He  died  at  Westminster,  July  10,  1839, 
{Family  Record,)  July  24,  1840,  {Westminster  Record). 

They  had  two  children: 

1.  Lucy  *  Dunster,  mar. Eoot,  of  Hubbardston. 

2.  Hannah*  Dunster,  mar.  Parker,  of  H. 

David  married  again,  but  had  no  children  by  his 
second  wife. 

ii.  Keziah^  Dunster,  the  second  child  of  Thomas 
and  Lydia  (Pierce)  Dunster,  was  born  in  Westminster, 
April  8,  1772,  married  Daniel  Montjoy,  of  Westminster. 
He  was  the  ''Montjoy"  mentioned  in  the  History  of 
Westminster.  "In  1738  Philip  Beaniis,  of  Cambridge, 
moved  to  the  townshi]);  was  the  third  family  of  six  or 
seven  persons.  Among  them  was  an  infant  by  the  name 
of  Daniel  Montjoy,  who  died  in  1835,  in  the  hundredth 
year  of  his  age.  He  was  our  father.  He  was  in  the 
army,  under  Washington,  but  never  received  any  pension. 
The  children  were  all  kind  to  him.  He  is  buried  in 
Westminster."  {3fi/Ies  Wood's  Letter.)  She  died  in  the 
winter  of  1838.     They  had  seven  children: 

1.  Charlotte®  Montjoy,  born  at  Westminster,  July 
19,  1799.  She  married  first,  Nov.  27,  1819,  Asher 
Brown  Cutler.  He  died  May  22,  1828.  They  had  two 
children: 

(i)  Edmund'  Winslow  Cutler,  born  May  2,  1821, 
married  April  7,  1842,  Hannah  C.  P.  Higgins,  of  Ded- 
ham,  Mass.  He  died  April  27,  1873;  interred  at  North- 
boro.     They  had  two  children: 

(1)  Charlotte^  E.  Cutler,  born  at  Sterling,  Mass., 
Eeb.  7,  1843,  not  married. 

(2)  James ^  E.  Cutler,  born  at  Fitchburg,  May  14, 
1850,  married  May  14,  1872,  Mrs.  Mary  J.  Austin. 

(ii)  Silas'  Alonzo  Cutler,  born  at  Sterling,  Dec. 
6,  1823,  married  May  19,  1844,  Maria  Hale,  of  North- 
boro.     Had  one  child: 


THE    MONTJOY    FAMILY.  169 

17 

(1)  Mary'  J.  Cutler,  born  March  20,  1849.  She 
died  April  6,  1854.  "A  pretty  girl;  she  lives  in  Heaven, 
where  I  hope  we  may  all  find  our  home  when  God,  onr 
Heavenly  Father,  has  done  with  us  in  these  homes  we 
now  enjoy  so  mnch."     {Myles  ]Yood.) 

Charlotte®  Montjoy,  after  the  death  of  j\[r.  Cutler, 
married  April  11,  1839,  Nathan  Burfee,  of  Sterling. 
"  He  dropped  down  in  the  door-yard  and  expired,  Sept. 
13,  1856."  She  now,  1875,  Hves  with  Myles  Wood, 
Isorthboro,  having  been  twice  widowed. 

2.'  LuciNDA®  MoxTJOY,  the  second  child  of  Daniel 
and  Keziah  (Dunster)  Montjoy,  was  born  at  Westminster, 
Dec.  1,  1801.  She  married  Lafayette  Willard,  son  of 
Joshua  Willard,  of  Sterling.     They  had: 

(i)     Martha'  Willard,  born  ,  married  Barney 

Pratt,  of  Fitchburg,  reside  there.     They  have  one  boy: 

(1)     «  Pratt,  born  about  1867. 

3.  Benjamin*  Montjoy,  the  third  child  of  Daniel 
and  Keziah  (Dunster)  Montjoy,  was  born  in  Westmin- 
ster, June  26,  1804,  mar.  May  9,  1826,  at  Westminster, 
Dolly  Perry,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Betsey  (Pierce) 
Perry,  who  lived  on  a  tract  of  land  formerly  called  "  No 
Town,"  now  Fitchburg.  '*  Same  religious  views  as  my 
ancestor;  that  is,  the  teaching  of  God's  word  as  I  under- 
stand it."     They  had  nine  children: 

(i)  Edwin'  Montjoy,  born  Sept.  17,  1827,  at  West- 
minster, married  l^tarch,  1856,  Louisa  Kelly,  daughter 
of  Daniel  Kelly.  Eesides  in  Fitchburg.  They  have 
one  daughter: 

(1)     Henrietta^  Montjoy,  born  April  13,  1857. 

(ii)  Francis'  Montjoy,  the  second  child  of  Benja- 
min and  Dolly  (P.)  Montjoy,  was  born  Nov.  13,  1832, 
married Poole,  of  ,  New  York  State.  He  en- 
listed in  Co.  D.,  10th  Regiment  of  Infahtrv.  and  was 
killed  at  North  Anna?  Eiver,  June  17,  1864.  * 

(iii)  Calvin'  ISIontjoy,  born  at  Westminster,  Oct. 
25,  1835,  unmarried. 

(iv)  Sarah'  Montjoy,  born  at  Westminster,  June 
25,  1838,  unmarried. 


170         HENRY   DUNSTER   AND   HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

17 

(v)  Daniel'  Porter  Mont  jot,  born  Marcli  19, 
1842,  married  June  10,  1868,  Melissa  Newhall,  daugh- 
ter of  Augustus  Newhall.  Eesides  in  Fitchburg.  Have 
one  child:     (1)     Charlotte*  Montjoy. 

(vi)  Harriet'  E.  Montjoy,  born  Nov.  20,  1845,  in 
Westminster,  married  Jan.  2,  1871,  Samuel  J.  Jewett, 
son  of  Zenus  and  Claramond  (Myrick)  Jewett,  of  Prince- 
ton, Mass.;  reside  there;  is  a  farmer.     No  children. 

In  addition  to  these  six  children,  Benjamin  and  Dolly 
Montjoy  had  three  whose  births,  names  and  deaths  'are 
not  obtained — they  all  died  young. 

4.  Eliza*  Montjoy,  born  Aug.  9,  180G,  now  lives 
with  her  sister,  Melinda,  unmarried. 

5.  Melinda®  Montjoy,  {Daniel  and  Kezialt^  D., 
Thomas,*'  Davicl,^  JonaJ  Henry, ^)  born  at  Westminster, 
Feb.  26,  1809,  mar.  at  W.,  Dec.  25,  1828,  Myles  Wood, 
born  May  11,  1807,  son  of  Eobert  and  Ester  Wood,  of 
Saddleworth,  Yorkshire,  England.  He  came  to  Boston, 
Aug.  12,  1824;  worked  in  cotton  mills  for  thirty  years. 
He  writes:  "When  I  look  back  and  see  the  changes  in 
manufacturing,  it  seems  as  if  I  ought  to  be  more  than 
a  century  old.  I  know  the  times  when  there  was  not  a 
power  loom,  speeder  or  picker,  in  England.  I  have  seen 
girls  winding  roping  with  a  spinning-wheel.  I  tended 
the  first  speeder  that  came  to  Ashton,  .  .It  was 
built  at  Bolton,  near  Manchester,  Eng."  F.»r  the  last 
twenty  five  years  he  has  lived  on  a  farm  in  Northboro. 
His  wife's  sisters,  Charlotte  and  Eliza,  live  with  him. 
They  have  had  seven  children: 

(i)  Mary'  Melinda  Wood,  born  at  Philipston, 
Mass.,  Sept.  26,  1829,  married  Benjamin  Hojikins. 
Eeside  at  Newton  Upper  Falls.  He  is  a  mechanic, 
and  owns  a  house  near  the  Eailroad  Station.  They 
have  two  children: 

(1)  JosiE*  May  Hopkins,  born  at  Ashland,  Oct.  14, 
1858. 

(2)  James*  Frederic  Hopkins,  born  at  Newton 
Upper  Falls,  Feb.  26,  1868. 


THE    AVOOD    FAMILY.  171 

17 

(ii)  JoHx'  Myles  Wood,  born  in  Westminster,  Sept, 
27,1831,  nicir.  April  23, 1857,  Listina  Plympton,of  Crafts- 
bury,  Vt.    They  had:    Ella*  Augusta  Wood,  b.  Feb.  2, 

1861,  She  died  Aug,  16,  same  year.  His  wife.  Listina, 
died  Sept,  2%,  1861,  at  Milford,  aged  26  years.  He  mar. 
second,  Aug,  23,  1865,  Mary  Johnson,  of  Clinton,  Mass,, 
the  sister  of  Joseph  P,  Johnson,  who  was  mortally 
wounded  at  Antietam,  No  children  by  last  wife.  They 
reside  at  Milford,  Mass.  He  is  a  cabinet-maker,  but  for 
the  last  sixteen  or  eighteen  years  has  worked  at  burial 
caskets,  &c. 

(iii)  GtEORCtE''  Blodget  Wood,  born  at  ISTorthboro, 
May  6,  1833,  married  May  6,  1857,  Mary  S,  Warren,  of 
Northboro,  resides  near  his  father.  "  Owns  a  small 
farm;  works  at  shoemaking  when  he  can  get  work.  He 
can  turn  his  hand  at  most  all  kinds  of  work,  same  as 
many  Americans  can.  Keeps  a  good  cow  and  a  good 
horse.  Has  a  small  grove,  near  'Solomon's  Pond,' 
where  they  hold  picnics  in  summer." 

Tliey  have  two  children : 

(1)  Herbert*  Warren  Wood,  born  May  27,  1859. 

(2)  Amy*  Gertrude  Wood,  born  July  7,  1867. 

(iv)  Keziah  ^  Wood,  daughter  of  Myles  and  Melinda 
Wood,  was  born  at  Hopkinton,  now  Ashland,  Mass., 
Oct.  17,  1838,  She  married  May  3,  1857,  Joseph  P, 
Johnson,  of  Clinton,  Mass.  He  was  son  of  Nathaniel 
and  Almira  Johnson,  By  occupation  was  a  comb  maker. 
''He  served  in  9th  Co,,  i5th  Mass,  Vol,,  and  was  one  of 
those  boys  who  swam  across  the  Potomac,  near  Balls' 
Bluff.     He  was  mortally  wounded  at  Antietam,  Sept,  17, 

1862,  was  carried  to  Washington,  where  the  good  soldier 
died  in  hospital,  Oct,  4,  same  year.  He  was  buried  at 
Northboro,  with  great  military  honors.  He  was  a  good 
husband  and  loved  his  family  much,  I  took  his  family 
to  my  house  in  those  dark  days,  and  their  mother  went 
to  work  in  a  shoe  shop  in  Marlboro,  about  four  miles 
away.  She  married  a  second  time,  June  1, 1870,  Charles 
H,  Brigham,  son  of  Hastings  and  Nancy  Brigham,  of 
Boston.     He  is  an  engineer.     He  had  by  his  first  wife 

16 


1?2         HENRY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

17 

three  boys.  Mr.  B.  is  a  good  man,  and  very  incjulgent 
father.  Owns  a  nice  house,  and  has  a  salary  of  11200  a 
year."     {Mijles  WooiVs  Letter.) 

Keziah''  Wood  had  by  J.  P.  Johnson,  first  husband: 

(1)  Frank  ^  Myles  Johnson,  born  Oct.  24,  1858. 

(2)  Mabel®  Nellie  Johnson,  born  May  18,  1860. 

By  second  husband: 

(3)  Elbert*  Irving  Brigham,  born  July  12,  1871. 

(4)  Ruth®  May  Brigham,  born  March  28,  1874. 

(v)  Charlotte'  "Wood,  born  in  Ashland,  Dec.  11, 
1&40,  married  at  Northboro,  June  19,  1873,  Samuel 
Townsend,  his  second  wife.  He  had  four  children  by 
his  first  wife;  Was  a  farmer,  but  now  engaged  in  the  shoe 
business.     By  Charlotte  (Wood)  he  has  had  no  children. 

(vi)  James'  Jackson  Wood,  (named  for  James  Jack- 
son, of  Ashland,  formerly  of  Attleboro,  Mass.,  who  was 
the  employer  of  Myles  Wood  for  many  years,)  was  born 
at  Westminster,  Nov.  11,  1844,  at  the  farm  his  father 
bought  at  that  place  when  he  left  the  factory  business. 
This  farm  is  now  owned  by  the  town  of  Westminster,  as 
a  Town  Asylum.  "When  I  was  there  four  years  ago, 
the  town's  poor  thanked  me  for  setting  out  those  good 
fruit  trees."  {M.  Wood.)  He  married  May  31,  1870, 
Hattie  L.  Litchfield,  of  Leominster,  Mass.  Eesided  in 
Berlin,  Mass.,  but  now  lives  on  his  father's  farm  at 
Northboro.     One  child: 

(1)     Ralph®  Sawyer  Wood,  born  Feb.  25,  1871. 

(vii)  Gertrude'  Ellen  Wood,  their  youngest  child, 
was  born  at  Northboro,  Jan.  31,  1850.  She  died  June 
25,  1865,  was  interred  at  Northboro. 

6.  George*  Washington,  )  Twins,   born  Oct.   17, 

7.  Martha*  Washington,  )  1813,  in  Westminster. 

(■).  George*  Washington  Montjoy,  mar.  Catherine 
Merryfield,  of  West  Boylston,  Mass.  They  have  had 
seven  children,  whose  record  is  very  imperfect.  Two 
only  are  now  living: 


ANNA*   DUJSSTER.  173 

17 

(i)  Henriette'  Montjoy,  born  in  Westminster, 
married  Benjamin  Bartlett,  and  resides  in  Boston. 

(ii)     Herbert'  Montjoy,  born  in  Fitchbnrg. 

(?)  "Charles'  Montjoy,  a  fine  young  man,  was 
lost  in  tlie  last  war — son  of  George  W,  Montjoy." 

7.  Martha*  "Washington  Montjoy,  the  twin  to 
George  Washington,  born  Oct.  17,  1813,  married  Elias 
Blodget.  Reside  in  South  Ashburnham,  Mass.  No 
children, 

iii.  Anna^  Dunster,  {Thomas,*  David,^  Jonathan,'^ 
Henry})  born  Aug.  3,  1775,  (West minster  Records,) 
Aug.  10,  177G,  {Mrs.  Bennett,)  the  third  child  of  Thos. 
and  Lidia  (Pierce)  Dunster,  married  Aug.  10,  1803, 
Aaron  Beard,  born  May  16,  1778,  at  Westminster.  They 
settled  at  once  at  Bromly,  since  called  Peru,  Vt.,  where 
they  spent  their  days:  They  lived  together  sixty-nine 
years  and  four  months.  She  died  Dec.  17,  1871,  aged 
95  years,  4  mo.  and  7  days,  {Mrs.  B.)  96  years,  4  mo. 
and  14  days,  {Wesfr.)  He  died  Nov.  22,  1873,  aged 
95  years  and  7  months.  "She  was  a  woman  of  great 
moral  courage  and  excellence  of  mind.  She  was  the 
mother  of  nine  children  of  her  own  and  one  adopted — 
eight  daughters  and  one  son.  They  were  all  born  in 
Peru,  Vt.  All  lived  to  be  married,  and  the  youngest 
one  was  thirty-five  years  old  before  there  was  a  death  in 
the  family.  They  were  both  members  of  the  Congrega- 
tional Church.  Six  of  their  children  belong  to  the  same 
church,  two  belong  to  the  Methodist,  one  died  without 
uniting  with  any  church,  but  as  we  hoped  died  in  the 
same  faith,  trusting  in  the  same  Saviour."  {Mrs.  Ben- 
netfs  Letter.)     They  had  nine  children: 

i.  Beatrice®  Byard  (as  now  written),  born  Jan.  18, 
1804,  married  Reuben  Tarbell,  Sept.  8,  1825.  He  is  a 
dealer  in  lumber.     They  had  nine  children: 

1.  Achsa'  Ann  Tarbell,  born  Jan.  23,  1826.  She 
married  April  3,  1844,  Ezekiel  Cudworth,  born  Aug.  8, 
1820,  son  of  Ezekiel  and  Lydia  (Lewis)  Cudworth,  of 
Rindge,  N.  H.     They  had  eight  children: 

(i)  Eliza*  Ann  Cudworth,  born  Dec.  27, 1846,  died 
Sept.  22,  1849,  at  Rindge. 


174        HENRY    DUNSTER   AND   HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

17 

(ii)     Ella*  Annette  Cudworth,  born  Oct.  1,  1851. 

(iii)    Charlie^  Marshall  Cudworth,   )  m    • 

(iv)    Carrie^  Maria  Cudworth,  j  -'-^"^^• 

Born  July  28,  1854. 

(v)     Emma*  Tarbell  Cudworth,  born  Feb.  7,  1857. 

(vi)  Sarah'  Angie  Cudworth,  born  Nov.  21,  1862, 
died  Jan.  17,  1865,  at  Rindge. 

(vii)     Elsie*  Addison  Cudworth,  b.  Oct.  23,  1865. 

(viii)   Beatrice*  Day  Cudworth,  b.  Aug.  26,  1868. 

2.  Rusina'  Juan  Tarbell,  born  Nov.  4,  1827,  mar. 
Sept.  24,  1851,  at  Bellows  Falls,  Vt.,  George  Sidney 
Brewer,  born  Nov.  18,  1828,  son  of  Asa  and  Rachel 
(Knight)  Brewer.  She  died  at  Boston,  Nov.  20,  1871. 
Two  children: 

(i)     Arthur*  Duane  Brewer,  born  April  9,  1854. 
(ii)   Andrew*  Sidney  Brewer,  born  April  12,  1859. 

^'  i  Twins,^  b.  June  3,  1829.     Both  died  same  day. 

5.  Aaron'  Marshall  Tarbell,  b.  April  24,  1830, 
died  in  Royalston,  Mass.,  July  11,  1836. 

6.  Charles'  Duane  Tarbell,  born  July  20,  1832, 
mar.  Nov.  18,  1856,  in  Marlboro,  N.  H.,  Elmira  Frances 
Whitney,  born  Jan.  18,  1836,  daughter  of  Benjamin  and 
Elmira  (Stimson)  Whitney.  Now  living  in  Littleton, 
N.  H.     A  lumber  merchant.     Four  children: 

(i)  Frank  *  Leslie  Tarbell,  born  March  20,  1859, 
died  at  South  Keene,  N.  H.,  Feb.  7,  1867. 

(ii)     Mary*  Edith  Tarbell,  born  March  17,  1861. 
(iii)   Anne*  Mabel  Tarbell,  born  Sept.  6,  1868. 
(iv)   Flora*  Elmira  Tarbell,  born  March  6,  1871. 

7.  Laura'  Ann  Tarbell,  born  Dec.  25,  1834,  died 
Sept.  8,  1837,  at  Royalston,  Mass. 

8.  Calista'  Fay  Tarbell,  born  May  31,  1837,  mar. 
at  Rindge,  N.  H.,  Dec.  1,  1859,  Nathan  Andrew  Fitch, 
born  Sept.  9,  1835,  son  of  Nathan  and  Louisa  (Burn- 
ham)  Fitch.     Two  children: 

(i)     Nella*  Louisa  Fitch,  born  Dec.  23,  1860. 
(ii)    Henry*  Warren  Fitch,  born  Jan.  25,  1866. 


THE    BYARD    FAMILY.  175 

17 

9.  Sarah'  Maria  Tarbell,  born  July  3,  1840, 
married  in  Boston,  Jan.  28,  1864,  George  B.  Day,  born 
Jan.  11,  1838.  son  of  Alvin  and  Anna  Maria  (Stebbins) 
Day.     One  child: 

(i)     Florence®  Nathalie  Day,  born  Sept.  6,  1869. 

ii.  Polly*  Byard,  [Aaroii  and  Ayma^  [Dunster) 
Beard,)  born  April  27,  1805,  married  Dec.  1,  1825,  Par- 
mason  Tarbell.  He  was  a  carpenter.  She  died  Aug. 
28,  1857.  They  had  three  children — two  sons  and  one 
daughter — one  son  only  now  living: 

Frank''  N.  Tarbell,  born  April  6,  1831,  mar.  Nov. 
24,  1856,  Mary  A.  Hasting,  born  June  14,  1838?  He 
is  Captain  of  Police  at  Green  Island,  N.  Y.  He  is  the 
youngest  of  their  children.  Of  the  others  we  have  no 
record.     Four  children: 

(i)  Charles®  F.  Tarbell,  born  Jan.  25,  1859,  died 
July  16,  1874. 

(ii)  Walter®  F.  Tarbell,  born  Nov.  7,  18G0,  died 
Jan.  14,  1861. 

(iii)    Herbert®  F.  Tarbell,  born  Dec.  12,  1864. 

(iv)    Olex?®  F.  Tarbell,  born  Dec.  31,  1867. 

iii.  Lydia"  Byard,  born  Feb.  18,  1807,  mar.  Nov. 
8,  1827,  Parker  Wyman,  a  farmer.  They  had  ten  chil- 
dren— three  sons  and  seven  daughters — all  living,  1874. 
"  They  are  so  scattered  abroad  that  I  cannot  tell  much 
about  them.  They  are  in  seven  different  States.  Two 
of  the  sons  were  in  the  army."     {Mrs.  Bennett.) 

After  the  above  was  written,  Mrs.  B.  furnished  memo, 
of  Lydia**  (Byard)  Wyman's  children. 

1.  Lydia''  Amanda  Wyman,  born  at  Peru,  Vt., 
Sept.  24,  1829?  1828,  both  dates  appeal*.  She  was  mar. 
by  Rev.  Mr.  Crowley,  Sept.  10,  1848,  to  Edward  A. 
Weeks,  of  Manchester,  Vt.     They  have  three  children: 

(i)     Alice®  Gertrude  Weeks,  born  at  Manchester, 

Dec.  8,  1849.     She  was  married  at  Crestline,  Ohio,  by 

Rev.  D.  I.  Foust,  Sept.   12,  1869,  to  Charles  Wheeler. 

He  died  at  Grand  Travarse  City,  Michigan,  Feb.  11, 

*16 


176         HENRY    DUNSTER   AND   HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

17 

1873,  of  consumj)tiou,  leaving  no  children.  She  was 
married  again,  by  Rev.  J.  H.  Forbes,  Aug.  25,  1875,  to 
M.  E.  Gaul,  of  New  York. 

(ii)  Isaac  ^  Webster  Weeks,  born  at  Rutland,  Vt., 
Nov.  18,  1858. 

(iii)  Jennie^  Roana  Weeks,  born  at  Rutland,  Vt.^ 
Dec.  19,  1864. 

3.  Alvin''  W.  Wyman,  born  April  30,  1S30.  Resides 
at  North  Adams,  Mass. 

3.  Charles'  M.  Wyman,  born  Marcli  24,  1832, 
married  April  4,  1853,  Adaline  T.  Smith.  Have  seven 
children,  all  born  at  Manchester,  Vt. : 

(i)  Ella«  a.  Wyman,  born  March  15,  1854.  She 
married  Dec.  28,  1874,  Cleorge  Romig,  in  Frenchtown, 
Nebraska.     Have  one  child: 

(1)     May»  a.  Romig,  born  Nov,  24,  1875. 

(Ii)  Morrill^  C.  Wyman,  born  April  27,  1856. 

(iii)  Lemuel*  J.  Wyman,  born  June  5,  1859. 

(iv)  Lydia*  a.  Wyman,  born  Dec.  33,  1861. 

(v)  Lucinda*  a.  Wyman,  born  April  3,  1865. 

(vi)  Aaron*  Dunster  Wyman,  born  Sept.  6,  1867. 

(vii)  Lord*  A.  Wyaian,  born  March  30,  1870. 

4.  Abba'  J.  Wyman,  born  June  24,  1834,  1835? 
(both  dates  appear,)  mar.  Jan.  8,  1855,  Orlando  Bourn, 
born  Sept.  30,  1834.     Have  five  children: 

(i)     Flora*  J.  Bourn,  born  Feb.  5,  1856. 
(ii)    Fred.*  0.  Bourn,  born  April  29,  1858. 
(iii')  Charles*  W.  Bourn,  born  March  13,  1860,  died 
March  29,  1864. 

(iv)    Thomas*  W.  Bourn,  born  Aug.  25,  1863. 
(v)     Charles*  A.  Bourn,  born  Oct.  23,  1872. 

5.  Julia'  Ann  Wyman,  born  Oct.  14,  1836.  She 
married  Oct.  19,  1854,  John  Rising.  They  have  seven 
children : 

(i)  Carrie*  Rising,  born  Aug.  29,  1856.  She  mar- 
ried June  14,  1874,  Simeon  Willey. 

(ii)     Frank*  Rising,  born  July  16,  1859. 


THE    WYMAN    FAMILY.  177 

17 

(iii)    Aggie*  Rising,  born  July  25,  1861. 
(iv)    Adda*  Rising,  born  Juno  1,  1864. 
(v)    Jennie*  Rising,  born  Oct.  12,  1807. 
(vi)    Fkeddie*  Rising,  born  July  20,  1870. 
(vii)  Wallace*  Rising,  born  June  17,  1874. 

6.  Verona'  A,  Wyman,  born  Sept.  20,  1838,  mar. 
May  22,  1802,  Oscar  F.  Mattison.  Reside  in  North 
Barrington,  Vt.     Two  children: 

(i)     Edmund*  J.  Mattison,  born  Aug.  22,  1863. 
(ii)    Charlotte*  C.  Mattison,  born  March  0,  1870. 

7.  Warren'  M.  Wyman,  born  Sept.  20,  1840. 

8.  Maria'  L.  Wyman,  born  Nov.  3,  1842,  married 
Nov.  2,  1809,  Wells.     Have  two  children: 

(i)     Aurther*  E.  Wells,  born  Nov.  11,  1870. 
(ii)    Frank*  A.  Wells,  born  June  22,  1873. 

9.  Mary'  R.  AVyman,  born  Aug.  13,  1845,  married 
July  30,  1803,  Myron  0.  Raymond.  He  died  Aug.  29, 
1871,  at  Geneva  Lake,  Wisconsin,  aged  31  years.  Had 
three  children: 

(i)     Jane*  C.  Raymond,  born  July  30,  1864. 
(ii)    Mary*  A.  Raymond,  born  April  8,  1808,  died  at 
Geneva  Lake,  May  9,  1809. 

(iii)  Mabel*  L.  Raymond,  born  March  7,  1871. 

10.  Fanny'  A.  Wyman,  born  March  27,  1849,  mar. 
June  13,  1809,  Plynn  A.  Vanderlip.     Two  children: 

(i)  Carrie*  A.  Vanderlip,  born  at  Manchester, 
Vt.,  Feb.  11,  1870. 

(ii)  Minnie*  E.  Vanderlip,  born  at  Joliet,  Illinois, 
July  31,  1874. 

iv.  Anna*  Byard,  {Aaron  and  Anna^  Dunster, 
Thos.^  David,^  Jona.'^  Henry, ^)  the  fourth  child  of  Aaron 
and  Anna  (Dunster)  Beard,  born  May  18,  1809,  married 
Dec.  1,  1833,  Jonas  Bennett,  joiner  and  house  carpen- 
ter. Reside  in  Manchester,  Vt.  Almost  the  whole  his- 
tory of  Anna  (Dunster)  Beard's  descendants  was  given  by 
Mrs.  Anna  (Byard)  Bennett. 

They  have  had  five  children : 


178         HEKRY    DUNSTER  AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

17 

1.  George'  Walter  Bennett,  born  Feb.  6,  1835, 
is  a  fresco  painter.  He  married  Oct.  20,  1858,  Julia  F. 
Reynold,  of  Troy,  N.  Y.     Three  children: 

(i)     AViLLARD^  K.  Bennett,  born  Jan.  24,  1864. 
(ii)    Otto®  R.  Bennett,  born  Aug.  14,  1866. 
(iii)  Claud*  A.  Bennett,  born  June  30,  1869. 

2.  Electa'  M.  Bennett,  born  Nov.  16,  1836,  mar. 
June  25,  1855,  William  McFarland,  of  Jackson,  IST.  Y. 
Died  Dec.  28,  1855. 

3.  Willard'  K.  Bennett,  was  born  Nov.  1,  1838. 
He  fell  in  M'Clellan's  retreat  at  Savage  Station,  June  29, 
1862.  He  was  First  Sergeant  in  Co.  E.,  Stli  Regiment 
Vermont  Volunteers.     Aged  23  years  and  7  months. 

4.  Harrison'  T.  Bennett,  born  Sept.  4,  1840,  is  a 
house  painter.  "He  was  in  the  navy  one  year  in  the 
war."  He  married  Sept.  1,  1864,  Caroline  A.  Crofut. 
Three  children: 

(i)    Anna®  L,  Bennett,  born  Dec.  17,  1865. 
(ii)    William®  W.  Bennett,  born  Feb.  17,  1868? 
(iii)  Alice®  E.  Bennett,  born  July  8,  1871. 

5.  Nancy'  A.  Bennett,  born  Aug.  9,  1842,  died 
June  8,  1849. 

V.  Hepsey®  Byard,  born  Jan.  11,  1811,  married 
Feb.  — ,  1832?  Feb.  21,  1831?  Charles  Childs.  He  is  a 
cooper.  Reside  in  North  Fairfield,  Huron  Co.,  Ohio. 
They  had  eight  children: 

1.  James'  F.  Childs,  born  Dec.  6,  1832,  mar.  July 
4,  1854.     He  died  May  4,  1863,  leaving  two  children. 

2.  Roena'  Childs,  born  Oct.  9,  1834,  died  July 
20,  1844. 

3.  Calvin'  Childs,  born  Sept.  15,  1836,  mar.  Nov. 
9,  1857.     They  have  six  children. 

4.  John'  Childs,  born  Oct.  10,  1838,  married  Dec. 
24,  1860.     Three  children. 

5.  Mary'  A.  Childs,  born  Oct.  25,  1841,  married 
April  15,  1861. 

6.  Marcus'  Childs,  born  Dec.  22,  1843,  mar. . 

Have  one  child. 


DORCASANA*   BYARD.  ITO- 

17 

(No  record  of  any  of  Hepsey  B.Childs'  grand-children.) 

7.  Ellen'  M.  Childs,  born  March  1,  1846,  died 
Oct.  5,  1806. 

8.  Cynthia'  A.  Childs,  born  June  6,  1849,  died 
Ang.  9,  1870. 

vi.  Dorcasana*  Byard,  the  sixth  child  of  Aaron 
and  Anna  (Dunster)  Beard,  born  Sept.  22,  1812,  mar.. 
James  Peirce,  Feb.  23,  1842.  He  was  connected  with 
C.  A.  Peirce  &  Co.,  printers  and  bookbinders,  Banner 
oflfice,  Bennington,  Vt.  She  died  Sept.  10,  1875,  of 
consumption.     They  have  had  three  children: 

1.  Maria'  A.  Peirce,  born  Feb.  22,  1843,  died 
May  22,  1865. 

2.  Everett'  W.  Peirce,  born  July  9,  1845.  He 
was  in  tlie  5th  Regt.  Vermont  Vols,  two  or  three  years. 

3.  Stella'  C.  Peirce,  born  May  22,  1854,  died  Aug. 
29,  1855. 

vii.  Lucy®  B.  Byard,  {Aaron  and  Anna^  Dunster ^ 
Thomas,*-  David,^  Jonathan,'^  Henry,^)  born  April  16,. 
1815,  mar.  Oct.  27,  1835,  John  W.  Farnum,  a  farmer. 
They  had  eight  children: 

"  Six  sons,  two  daughters.  The  sons  are  all  farmers 
but  one.  He  is  a  carpenter.  Not  one  of  these  six  sons: 
use  tea,  coffee,  tobacco,  or  ardent  spirits:  good,  honesty 
upright  men.  Three  are  members  of  the  Congregational 
Church.  We  almost  feel  proud  of  them.  They  are  an 
honor  to  the  family  to  whom  they  belong."  {Mrs.  B.} 
So  say  we. 

1.  David'  H.  Farnum,  born  Aug.  19,  1837,  mar. 
Nov.  13,  1862,  Frances  M.  Burton.     Two  children: 

(i)     Carrie*  A.  Farnum,  born  Nov.  25,  1863. 
(ii)   Albert*  B.  Farnum,  born  June  7,  1870. 

2.  Aaron'  B.  Farnum,  born  June  2,  1839.  He 
was  killed  Nov.  17,  1867,  by  the  bursting  of  a  millstone, 
at  Arlington,  Vermont. 

3.  Henry  '  M.  Farnum,  born  Feb.  29,  1841,  mar. 
Dec.  13,  1865,  Betsey  Benedict.     One  child: 

(i)     Fred.®  K.  Farnum,  born  Aug.  4,  1868. 


180         HENRY    DUNSTER  AND    HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

17 

4.  Marion^  E.  Farnum,  born  March  8,  1843,  mar. 
Dec.  5,  1864,  Edwin  B.  Simonds.     Two  children: 

(i)     Arthur^  E.  Simonds,  born  Dec.  5.  1865. 
(ii)   Lucy*  Belle  Simonds,  born  Dec.  22,  1867. 

5.  Edwin  ^  D.  Farnum,  born  April  29,  1845,  mar. 
Nov.  29,  1869,  Ellen  M.  Smith.     One  child: 

(i)     Henry' A.  Farnum,  born  Feb.  1,  1873, 

6.  Lycennia''  J.  Farnum,  born  July  2,  1847. 

7.  Amandie'  L.  FarnUxM,  born  March  22,  1849, 
married  March  11,  1874,  Frank  T.  Rand.     One  child: 

(i)     Hattie*  L.  Eand,  born  Dec.  12,  1874. 

8.  Frederick^  M.  Farnum,  born  Oct.  6,  1857. 

viii.  LuciNDA®  M.  Byard,  born  June  18,  1818,  mar. 
Dexter  French,  a  farmer,  March  28,  1849.   Two  children: 

1.  Josiah  ^  A.  French,  b.  Jan.  24, 1850,  is  a  farmer. 

2.  Marion'  L.  French,  born  Nov.  17,  1853,  mar. 
Jan.  24,  1874,  Myron  Taylor,  of  Manchester,  Vt. 

ix.  Aaron*  T.  Byard,  born  May  13,  1823,  Avas  the 
youngest  child  and  only  son  of  Aaron  and  Anna  (Dun- 
ster)  Beard.  He  married  Jane  M.  Muller,  Nov.  18, 1845. 
She  was  born  July  6,  1828.  He  was  a  farmer,  and  lived 
on  the  "old  place"  in  Peru,  Vt.  He  took  care  of  the 
old  folks,  who  lived  to  see  forty-one  grand-children  and 
sixty- two  great  grand-children.  They  have  since  in- 
creased to  fifty-six  grand-children,  and  an  "  unknown 
quantity"  of  great  grand-children.  "They  fulfilled 
their  Maker's  command  to  multiply  and  replenish  the 
earth."  {Mrs.  Bennett.)  He  has  of  late  years  given  up 
farming,  and  devoted  his  whole  attention  to  the  lumber 
business,  of  which  he  did  considerable  while  farming. 
They  have  six  children: 

1.  Andrew'  A.  Byard,  born  Feb.  28,  1847,  married 
Laura  M.  Butler.     Have  two  daughters,  names  unknown. 

2.  Fannie'  Anna  Byard,  born  Sept.  26,  1850, 
married  Oct.  15?  1872,  John  G.  Miller,  of  Williams- 
burgh,  Mass.     One  child: 

(i)     Fred.'  Miller,  born  Oct.  31,  1873. 


THOMAS*   DUNSTER.  181 

17 

3.  John'  L.  Byard,  born  Aug.  14,  1853. 

4.  Stella'  E.  Byard,  bom  Sept.  29,  1857. 

5.  Willard"  H.  Byard,  born  Nov.  2,  1861. 

6.  Mary'  J.  Byard,  born  Jan.  30,  1865. 

iv.  Thomas*  Dunster,  [Thomas,*'  David,^  Jona.,' 
Henri/, ^)  ^^^^  fourth  child  of  Thomas  and  Lidia  (Pierce) 
Dunster,  born  in  Westminster,  Aug.  13,  1780,  (  West. 
Eecords,)  1772,  {Family  Bible,)  married  July  17,  1810, 
Rebeccah  Harrington,  of  Dublin,  N.H.,  (West. Records,) 
Feb.  25,  1811,  {Family  Bible).  She  was  born  Feb.  25, 
1790.  He  was  a  farmer,  and  lived  in  Windsor,  Vt. 
He  died  at  Weathersfield  Upper  Falls,  at  his  son's  resi- 
dence, jMarcli  11,  1874,  aged,  by  West.  Record,  93  years, 
7  months,  by  Family  Record,  101  years  and  7  months. 
She  is  living,  1874,  at  her  son's.     They  had  five  children: 

1.  Hanxah*  Dunster,  born  April  18,  1813,  mar. 
,  1830,  Joel  N"ason,  now  living  at  East  Windsor,Vt. 

2.  Amos®  Dunster,  born  Nov.  1,  1816,  died  at  Lon- 
donderry, Vt.,  Aug.  7,  1838. 

3.  Esther®  Dunster,  born  Sept.  10,  1820,  married 
1840,  Joel  Nichols,  of  Weston,  Vt.     They  had  one  child: 

(i)     Amos''  Nichols,  born  June  11,  1842. 

John  Nichols  died .     She  married  second,  James 

Bryant,  of  Reading,  Vt.     Reside  there. 

4.  Emily'®  Dunster,  born  Aug.  15, ?  married 

Dec.    18,   1859,   Daniel   Bryant,   of   Weathersfield,  Vt. 
She  died  June  12,  1869  or  70?  at  Windsor  Corners,  Vt. 

This  record  of  Thomas*  Dunster's  family  was  taken^ 
from  the  "  Old  Family  Bible,''  by  A.  B.  Dunster. 

5.  Aaron ®B.  Dunster,  {Thomas,^  Thomas,* Bavid,^ 
Jo?ia.,'  Henry, ^)  the  fifth  child  of  Thomas  and  Rebeccah 
(Harrington)  Dunster,  born  Jan.  23,  1823,  married  Feb. 
6,  1850,  Sophia  Cory,  daughter  of  Charles  and  Silinda 
Cory,  of  Danby,  Vt.  He  is  a  farmer.  Resides  at  Wea- 
thersfield Upper  Falls,  Vt.  Family  Congregationalists. 
They  have  had  eight  children: 

(i)  Amos'  P.  Dunster,  born  June  2,  1852,  a  farmer, 
resides  in  Weathersfield,  unmarried. 


183        HENRY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

17 

(ii)     Lydia^  Dunster,  b.  Nov.  5,  1853,  d.  in  infancy. 

(iii)  Emily''  Dunster,  born  April  19,  1855,  living  at 
home. 

(iv)  Aaron  ^  W.  Dunster,  born  Nov.  2,  1856,  a 
farmer,  lives  at  Cavendish,  Vt.,  unmarried. 

(v)  Andrew'  Dunster,  born  March  11,  1858,  died 
when  two  years  old. 

(vi)  Esther'  Dunster,  born  July  4,  1860,  died 
when  one  year  old. 

(vii)  Charles'  Dunster,  born  May  2,  1862,  died 
when  three  years  old. 

(viii)  Edwin'  Dunster,  born  Oct.  8,  1864,  lives  at 
home. 

This  family  is  the  only  one  by  the  name  of  Dunster 
descended  from  David ^  Dunster,  and  also  from  Jona- 
than'^ and  Dehorah  {Wade)  Dunster.  All  their  other 
living  descendants  are  in  the  female  line. 

V.  Lydia^  Dunster,  {Thomas,*'  David,^  Jonathan,'^ 
Henry,^)  the  fifth  child  of  Thomas  and  Lidia  (Pierce) 
Dunster,  born  July  19,  1784,  married  about  1805,  John 
Wood,  of  Boston.  He  enlisted  in  the  war  of  1812,  and 
died  in  the  army  soon  after,  on  "Boston  Island,"  (Fort 
Independence).  His  wife,  Lydia,  died  July,  1814?  leav- 
ing three  children: 

1.  Joseph®  Wood,  born  Jan.,  1807,  ''married  Lucy 
Sawyer — first  wife.  He  is  a  farmer,  lives  in  Holden,  six 
miles  from  Worcester.     Has  no  children." 

2.  Patty V  (Martha)  Wood,  born  Aug.  10,  1808, 
married  April  6,  1828,  Samuel  Shattuck,  born  April  21, 
1804.     Had  six  children: 

(i)  Eliza'  P.  Shattuck,  born  Dec.  3,  1829,  married 
William  P.  Smith. 

(ii)  Levi'  L.  Shattuck,  born  Aug.  10,  1831,  died 
Jan.  14,  1865. 

(iii)  Warren'  Shattuck,  born  July  13,  1833,  mar. 
first,  Maria  Jones,  mar.  second,  Mary  Mclntire.  One 
child: 

(1)     Ida*  Jane  Shattuck,  born  Nov.  6,  1864. 


PRICILLA^    DUNSTER,  183 

17 

(iv)  Sarah'  Jane  Shattuck,  born  Jan.  3,  183G, 
died  May  3,  1854. 

(v)  Charles'  W.  Shattuck,  born  May  33,  1838, 
married  Martha  Scott.     One  child: 

(1)     Lucius*  Eugene  Shattuck,  b.  Nov.  23,  1862. 

(vi)  William  ■  Henry  Harrison  Shattuck,  born 
Oct.  7,  1841. 

Mrs.  Martha  Shattuck  now  lives  with  her  two  sons  in 
Xorth  street,  Fitchbnrg.  "Her  husband  died  in  1800. 
She  was  only  four  years  old  when  her  mother  died,  and 
was  taken  away  from  her  relatives  when  very  young, 
consequently  knows  but  little  about  them." 

3.  Nancy®  Wood,  "the  youngest  child,  died  when 
young." 

vi.  Pricilla^  Dunster,  {TJiomas,*  David,^  Jona.,- 
He)iry,^)  the  sixth  child  of  Thomas  and  Lidia  (Pierce) 
Dunster,  born  March  4,  1787,  at  Westminster,  married 
Sept.  6,  1810,  Isaac  Estabrook,  born  Aug.  31,  1778. 
He  died  at  Westminster,  1849.  She  died  at  Westmin- 
ster (Wachusett  Village),  March  6,  1875,  at  the  resi- 
dence of  her  son,  aged  88  years  and  2  days.  She  was 
the  last  survivor  of  Thomas*  and  Lidia  (Pierce)  Dun- 
ster's  children.  She  was  a  woman  of  wonderful  mem- 
ory, even  to  the  last.  "  She  was  stricken  with  paralysis 
in  June,  1873,  but  recovered  so  as  to  read  and  sew  at 
times  as  well  as  common."  She  spent  her  last  days  with 
her  son,  Charles®  A.  Estabrook.  ''She  was  a  very  in- 
dustrious woman.  Her  husband  died  many  years  ago. 
All  the  girls  of  that  family  (Thomas '')  were  better  work- 
ers than  the  men  were;  for  if  the  men  had  done  right, 
the  land  in  their  possession  would  not  all  have  got  out 
of  it."     {Mijles  Wood's  Letter.) 

To  Mrs.  Estabrook  we  are  indebted  for  the  founda- 
tions of  the  history  of  David  ^  Dunster's  descendants. 
She  communicated  them  twenty  years  ago  to  Prof,  E.  S. 
Dunster,  M.  D.,  then  a  student  in  Harvard  College. 

They  had  seven  children: 

1.     Isaac"  Estabrook,  born  Feb.  11,  ISU,  died  May 
11,  same  year. 
17 


184         HEXRY    DUNSTER  AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

17 

2.  Betsey*  Estabrook,  born  June  19,  1812,  now 
living,  uumarried,  at  Wachusett  Village,  Westminster. 

3.  Isaac*  Estabrook,  born  Feb.  18,  1815.  He 
served  three  years  in  the  Florida  war;  then  volunteered 
nnder  Col.  Harney  three  months;  returned  to  Westmin- 
ster; went  about  three  months  afterwards  to  Savannah, 
Georgia,  where  he  died,  June  12,  1843.     Unmarried. 

4.  Charles  *  Asher  Estabrook,  (Isaac  and  Pricilla^ 
Dunster,)  born  May  24,  1817,  married  Nov.  23,  1846, 
Caroline  H.  Dow.  He  adds  an  s  to  their  name.  Resides 
at  Wachusett  Village.  '  They  have  had  seven  children: 

(i)  Caroline'  F.  Estabrooks,  born  July  14,  1847, 
died  Aug.  6,  1849. 

(11)    Isadore''  p.  Estabrooks,  born  May  10,  1851. 

(iii)   Charles'  F.  Estabrooks,  born  Oct.  26,  1854. 

(iv)    Areanna'  Estabrooks,  born  Oct.  31,  1857. 

(v)  Isaac'  L.  Estabrooks,  born  Feb.  7,  1860,  died 
April  29,  1865. 

(vi)    Henry'  Doav  Estabrooks,  born  Dec.  9,  1863. 

(vii)  Caroline'  G.  Estabrooks,  born  July  10,  1871, 
died  Sept.  9,  same  year. 

5.  Samuel®  Estabrook,  born  Dec.  19,  1821,  died 
1833 

6. '  Infant,*  born ,  1823. 

7.  Sarah*  Ann,  born  Sept.  13,  1827,  died  May  14, 
1845,  unmarried. 

vii.  Henry ^  Dunster,  {Tho?nas,*  David,^  Jona.,'^ 
Henry,^)  the  seventh  child  of  Thomas  and  Lidia  (Pierce) 
Dunster,  born  May  21,  1792,  published  Sept.  21,  mar- 
ried Oct.  7,  1815,  Mary  Bemis,  of  Chesterfield,  N.  H. 
He  died  in  the  army,  at  Baton  Rouge,  Louisiana,  prior 
to  1823.     They  had  two  children: 

1.  Jason*  Dunster,  born  Aug.?  14,  1816,  in  West- 
minster. He  was  a  laborer.  Married  by  Rev.  C.  Mason, 
March  27,  (published  4th  and  18th),  1839,  Sarah  Perry. 
He  died  Jan.  19,  1850,  of  consumption,  aged  33  years. 
8  months  and  5  days.  She  died  Sept.,  1861.  They  had 
four  children: 


MARGARY*    DUNSTER.  185 

18 

(i)     Sylvester'  Dunster,  born  ,  died  when 

three  years  old. 

(ii)    Jason; Albert       )  ^g^^_ 

(ill)  Sarah  '  Adalade,  j  '  j      > 

(ii)  Jason'  Albert  Dunster,  enlisted  as  a  volun- 
teer, at  Worcester,  in  1863,  died  July  same  year.  Taken 
sick  in  the  army,  but  got  home  to  die. 

(iii)  Sarah'  Adalade  Dunster,  married  Thomas 
Locke,  in  the  fall  of  1867.  They  live  in  South  Saginaw, 
Mich.     They  have  one  daughter:    (1)    Carrie^  Locke. 

(iv)  Mary'  Caroline  Dunster,  born  Aug.  5,  1846, 
married  first,  Nov.  — ,  1863,  Lewis  G.  Chaffin.  He  was 
killed  Oct.,  1864,  at  Pond's  Iron  Works,  in  Worcester, 
whilst  hoisting  machinery.  The  chain  gave  way  and 
struck  him  in  the  temple.  She  had  a  son  after  her  hus- 
band's death: 

(1)  Lewis*  G.  Chaffin,  born  Jan.,  1865.  He  lives 
in  Worcester,  Mass.,  with  his  mother,  now  Mrs.  Jones. 

Mary'  Caroline  married  second.  May  12,  1867,  George 
W.  Jones,  born  Jan.  4,  1848,  at  Norwich,  Conn.  He  is 
a  carpenter.  Eeside  at  42  Cutler  street,  Worcester. 
They  have  had  four  children: 

(2)  Gertie*  Carrie  Jones,  born  Dec.  22,  1868. 

(3)  George*  T.  Jones,  born  1869,  died  when  five 
weeks  old.     (4)     Infant.* 

(5)     George*  Thomas  Jones,  born  Aug.  22,  1875. 

2.  Sylvester®  Dunster,  born  June  16,  1819,  died 
May  11,  1842.     Not  married. 

18*  V,  Margary*  Dunster,  {David,^  Jonathan,'^' 
Henry,')  the  fifth  child  of  David  and  Mary  (Molly) 
(Russell)  Dunster,  was  born  at  West  Cambridge,  (Ar- 
lington), and  was  baptized  at  Cambridge  Second  Church, 
Rev.  S.  Cooke,  Dec.  23,  1739.  Mr.  Cooke  wrote  her 
name  "Magire."  She  was  the  first  child  by  the  name 
of  Dunster  baptized  at  that  church,  which  was  organ- 
ized Sept.  9,  1739.  Her  parents  removed  to  Westmin- 
ster in  1742,  where  she  was  brought  up.  She  married 
June  17,  1760,  "Joshua  Wilder.     The  record  of  her  mar- 


186         HENEY    DUNSTER  AND    HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

18 

riage  in  Westminster  Town  Eecords  is,  ''Joshua  Wilder 
and  Margary  Dunster,  both  of  Westminster,  'was'  joined 
in  marriage  June  17,  1760,  by  Oliver  Wilder,  Justice 
of  the  Peace."  In  their  Family  Bible  the  record  is, 
"Joshua  Wilder  and  Margery,  his  wife,  were  married  in 
the  year  1760,  June  the  14th."  In  a  record  furnished 
by  Miss  Jane  E.  Wilder,  their  marriage  is,  "June  11th, 
1760."  In  her  father's  will,  she  is  called  "Marguary, 
my  third  daughter."  They  resided  in  Westminster  till 
the  spring  of  1765,  when  they  bought  a  farm  in  Brattle- 
boro,  Vt.,  about  a  mile  from  the  village,  on  which  they 
lived  and  died.  He  was  a  deacon  of  the  early  church  in 
Brattleboro;  bought  and  lived  on  the  farm  now  occupied 
by  George  A.  and  Marshall  Wilder,  and  their  sister, 
Jane  R.  Wilder. 

Joshua  and  Margary*  (Dunster)  Wilder  had  twelve 
children,  whose  births  we  give  from  the  Family  Bible, 
adding  only  the  generation  and  surname,  and  place  of 
birth ; 

i.  Sarah  ^  Wilder,  "  was  born  unto  them  Saturday, 
March  ^8,  1761,"  in  Westminster.  She  died  Sept.  16, 
1764. 

ii.  Mary^  E.  Wilder,  "was  born  unto  them  Thurs- 
day, Sept.  9,  1763."  She  died  Sept.  19,  1764,  three 
days  after  her  sister;  both  died  in  Westminster,  and  no 
doubt  were  buried  there. 

iii.  Sarah ^  Wilder,  "was  born  Friday,  the  16th  of 
August,  1765,"  at  Brattleboro.  She  married  (date  not 
found)  Henry  Willard.  They  lived  in  Dummerston, 
and  had  eight  children,  the  dates  of  whose  births  have 
not  been  found.  Seven  of  them  were  married,  but  their 
record  is  not  further  known  to  us.     Their  children  Avere: 

1.  Sallie,®  married  William  Barnes. 

3.  Polly,^  "         Isaac  Cutler. 

3.  Margery,®  "        John  Whipple. 

4.  Eunice,®       "        Josiah  Goddard. 

5.  Olive,®  "        Xat.  Taft. 

6.  Nancy,®        "        Davis  Eand. 

7.  Lewis,®  was  a  bachelor. 

8.  Ben,®  married  Lydia  Beniiet. 


THE    WILDER   FAMILY.  187 

18 

Miss  Jane  R.  Wilder,  who  gave  this  record,  adds: 
"  These  children  are  all  dead.  I  have  not  the  dates  of 
their  deaths,  neither  that  of  Uncle  and  Aunt  Wilder." 

iv.  Polly  ^  Wilder,  was  born  Friday,  the  22d  day 
of  July,  1768,  at  Brattleboro.  She  married  Luther  Sar- 
geant,  and  lived  at  Brattleboro.  They  had  one  child, 
who  died  young.  *'I  have  no  date  of-itedeath,  but  can 
find  it  on  the  grave  stone,  about  a  mile  from  us."  (/. 
R.  Wilder.)     In  the  Family  Bible  is  this  entry: 

"  Anna  Sargeant,  daughter  of  Luther  and  Polly 
(Wilder)  Sargeant,  was  born  Sunday,  Oct.  12,  1788,"— 
"gran-child;"  and  in  a  memo,  by  Miss  Wilder,  is  added: 
"  Married  Samuel  Duncan,  and  died  at  Northfield,  N. 
Y.,  Jan.  8,  1875."  This  record  is  not  very  clear,  and 
may  be  found  erroneous.  It  is  believed  she  left  descend- 
ants in  Northfield, — perhaps  Fay  Duncan,  and  others,' 
who  are  referred  to  in  a  letter,  but  we  cannot  classify 
them. 

V.  JoHN^  Wilder,  {Joslma  and  Mavgary^  Dunster, 
David,^  Jonatlian,^  Henry,^)  was  born  Thursday,  the  ith 
of  Oct.,  1770,  married  Rebecca  Chamberlain,  of  Ches- 
terfield, N.  H.,  in  1795.  They  lived  in  Brattleboro. 
Removed  to  Newfane,  in  1802,  where  she  died  Nov.  15, 
1811.  He  removed,  in  1840,  to  Gill,  Mass.,  where  he 
died  Jan.  31,  1867.     They  had  eight  children: 

1.  Hepsebah"  Wilder,  born  1796,  died  1798. 

2.  Lyman®  Wilder,  {John, ^  Joshua  and  Manjary* 
{Dunster),  David,^  Jona.,"^  Henry,^)  the  second  child  of 
John  and  Rebecca  (Chamberlain)  Wilder,  was  born  in 
Brattleboro,  Vt.,  June  28,  1798.  He  has  favored  us 
with  a  sketch  of  his  life,  from  which  a  few  items  we 
deemed  of  interest  are  extracted:  "  He  commenced  life 
a  poor  boy.  His  mother  died  when  he  was  thirteen 
years  of  age.  He  lived  with  his  father,  on  a  small,  stony 
farm,"  where  he  continued  till  nineteen  years  of  age, 
working  in  summer,  and  going  to  school  from  two  to 
three  months  in  the  winter.  He  afterward  taught  win- 
ters till  of  age,  in  the  meantime  studying  with  a  view  to 
a  college  education.     About  the  time  he  was  beginning 

*17 


188         HENRY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

18 

the  languages  his  eyesight  failed,  by  reason  of  too  much 
study  by  the  "  old  candle  light."  Having  no  means  but 
his  own  earnings,  his  friends  dissuaded  him  from  that 
course,  which  they  thought  would  be  his  ruin.  He 
yielded  to  their  advice,  but  at  the  same  time  resolved 
(D.  V.)  that  he  would  have  as  good  an  education,  if  his 
life  was  spared,  as  was  then  given  at  a  college,  by  apply- 
ing himself  in  his  spare  moments  closely  to  study.  These 
moments  are  often  flung  away;  but  not  so  in  his  case. 
He  felt  that  his  day  labor  must  be  devoted  to  procuring 
a  living.  He  began  the  study  of  architecture,  under  a 
Boston  architect,  and  was  soon  master  of  the  business. 
His  sight  gradually  returned,  and  he  continued  the  study 
of  the  higher  mathematics  until  1831,  when  he  engaged 
in  building  machinery  at  Hoosick  Falls,  N.  Y.,  which 
he  still  carries  on.  He  still  pursued  Natural  Science, 
mineralogy,  geology,  paleontology,  conchology,  &c.  In 
each  of  these  he  has  collected  largely,  so  that  his  cabinet 
numbers  forty  thousand  specimens,  mostly  of  his  own 
collection.  These  he  has  worked  out  almost  single- 
handed.  It  is  one  of  the  best  private  cabinets  in  the 
country.  He  is  on  the  most  intimate  terms  with  the 
officers  and  faculty  of  Williams  College,  which  conferred 
on  him  the  honory  degree  of  A.  M.,  and  belongs  to  the 
Natural  History  Society  at  that  College.  He  has  done 
all  this  while  carrying  on  a  large  and  perplexing  business 
without  neglecting  it. 

He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Legislature,  and  helped 
through  the  railroad  from  Troy  to  Hoosac  Tunnel,  in 
which  he  has  been  a  director  more  than  twenty  years. 
He  has  been  connected  with  and  at  the  head  of  many 
other  enterprises.  He  adds:  "  I  have  spent  a  very  busy 
life.  Had  half  I  was  worth  burned  in  1860,  and  many 
other  reverses  in  business,  but  keep  along  with  a  com- 
fortable living.  I  am  yet  in  active  life,  but  cannot  en- 
dure as  much  as  I  could  twenty-five  years  ago."  He 
was  at  this  time  78  years  old. 

He  united  with  the  Congregational  Church  in  Brat- 
tleboro  when  nineteen  years  old.  In  1832  he  removed  his 
church  relations  to  Hoosick  Falls  Presliyterian  Church, 
and  was  soon  after  elected  elder.     He  has  held  that  office 


THE    AVILDER    FAMILY.  189 

18 

ever  since  (44  years).  ''I  liave  outlived  the  elders  then 
in  otlice,  and  four  others  elected  since.  There  are  not  a 
great  many  clergymen  in  the  Wilder  family,  but  a  good 
many  elders  and  deacons.  There  have  been  two  or  more 
elders  all  the  time  since  I  can  remember,  from  my  grand- 
father down.  He'and  my  father  both  were  deacons.  I 
have  a  brother-in-law  and  a  cousin  who  are  deacons." 

Lyman*  Wilder  is  descended  in  the  Wilder  lineage 
from  John,^  Joshua,®  Joshua,^  Nathaniel,*  Nathaniel,* 
Thomas,^  Martha.^  He  is  collecting  the  family  history. 
It  is  hoped  he  will  be  able  to  supply  the  deficiencies  of 
Marguary*  (Dunster)  Wilder's  descendants  which  appear 
in  this  sketch.  He  removed  to  Hoosick  Falls  in  March, 
182G.  He  married  first,  at  Hoosick  Falls,  Jan.  15,  1829, 
Virtue  Ball,  of  that  place,  born  Aug.  7,  1802.  They 
had  six  children: 

(i)  Jonathan^  Ball  Wilder,  born  Dec.  6,  1829, 
died  June  6,  1834. 

(ii)  A  son,'  not  named,  born  May  16,  1832,  died 
June  16,  same  year. 

(iii)  Lyman'  Chamberlain  Wilder,  born  May  17, 
1833,  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Is  a 
civil  engineer,  and  at  present,  1876,  employed  by  the 
State  of  New  York,  surveying  and  examining  the  canals. 
He  is  not  married. 

(iv)  Martha'  Louisa  Wilder,  born  Sept.  2,  1835, 
married  March  10,  1859,  Edward  Clark,  of  Weston, 
Mass.  He  w\as  a  farmer.  They  moved  (from  Weston?) 
to  Malta,  111.,  from  there  to  Seneca,  Kansas,  where  he 
died  Feb.  1,  1872,  leaving  three  children: 

(1)  Ella^  M.  Clark,  born  Feb.  24,  1860,  died  Sept. 
25,  same  year. 

(2)  Edward^  W.  Clark,  born  Dec.  23,  1861. 

(3)  Irwin  ^  M.  Clark,  born  Sept.  10,  1865,  died 
March  14,  1875. 

(v)  John'  James  Wilder,  born  Jan.  10,  1839,  was 
an  elder,  with  his  father,  in  the  Presbyteritln  Church  at 
Hoosick.  On  account  of  his  health,  he  left  there  in  the 
fall  of  1875,  and  resides  in  Nordhoff,  Ventura  County, 
California,  where  he  is  engaged  in  the  bee  business.    He 


190         HENKY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

18 

married  Oct.  24,  1865,  Marion  E.  Renwick,  of  Trenton, 
N.  J.     They  have  four  children: 

(1)  Lyman  ^  Eenwick  Wilder,  born  Nov.  4,  1866, 
died  Jan.  30,  1870. 

(2)  Marion^  Lydia  Wilder,  born  Sept.  5,  1869. 

(3)  John*  Archie  Wilder,  born  Aug.  1,  1871. 

(4)  Charles^  Newton  Wilder,  b.  April  29,  1873. 

(vi)  Philander'  Newton  Wilder,  {Lyman,^  Jolin,^ 
Joshua  and  Margary^  D.,)  the  sixth  child  of  Lyman  and 
Virtue  (Ball)  Wilder,  was  born  June  6,  1841.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  resides  at  Hoosick 
Falls,  and  is  engaged  with  his  father  in  the  business  of 
manufacturing  machinery.  He  married  Oct.  14,  1868, 
Emma  E.  Hastings,  of  South  Hadley,  Mass.  They 
have  three  children: 

(1)  Martha*  Virtue  Wilder,  born  March  1,  1871. 

(2)  Mary  *  Eveline  Wilder,  born  July  9,  1873. 

(3)  Edward*  Lyman  Wilder,  born  Nov.  3,  1875. 

Virtue  (Ball),  wife  of  Lyman ^  Wilder,  died  Feb.  18, 
1850.  He  .married  second,  0.  Elizabeth  Haswell,  Jan. 
29,  1851.  She  was  born  at  Hoosick,  May  19,  1819.  By 
her  he  has  three  children: 

(vii)  Willard'  Haswell  Wilder,  born  Nov.  10, 
1852.  died  July  30,  1855. 

(viii)  Elizabeth'  Harper  Wilder,  born  Aug.  24, 
1854,  died  May  3,  1855. 

(ix)  Charles'  Ten  Broock  Wilder,  born  Oct., 
1856,  died  March  7,  1857. 

3.  Mary®  Wilder,  the  third  child  of  John  and  Re- 
becca (Chamberlain)  Wilder,  born  July  16,  1800,  mar- 
ried Franklin  Cook,  of  Newfane,  June  17,  1824.  Mr. 
Cook  died  Jan.  15,  1829.  She  married  second,  William 
Levering,  June  11,  1834.  He  is  a  farmer.  They  live 
in  Gill,  Mass.  Mary  (W.)  and  Franklin  Cook  had  two 
children : 

(i)  Maria'  A.  Cook,  born  Sept.  17,  1826.  She 
married  Dec.  31,  1846,  Asa  Stoughton.  They  are  far- 
mers in  Gill.     Have  one  child: 


THE   WILDER    FAMILY.  191 

18 

(1)     Franklin*  F.  Stoughton,  born  Feb.  3,  1855. 

(ii)  Eliza'  C.  Cook,  born  Aug.  4,  1828,  married 
July  17,  1855,  Rev.  R.  Dexter  Miller,  of  Dummerston. 
They  live  in  Hartland,  Vt.     Have  had  six  children : 

(1)  Mary'  L.  Miller,  born  Sept.  29,  1856,  died 
Feb.   28,  1865. 

(2)  Charles'  M.  Miller,  born  May  2,  1858,  died 
Julv  21,  1874. 

(3)  John'  C.  Miller,  born  April  4,  1861. 

(4)  Stella' M.  Miller,  )  m    •      u       at      a-i  loco 
/K\     T?r..8T?   Tvr...^^     '>  Twins,  born  JNov.  21,1863. 

(5)  Ella'  E.  Miller,      j  '  ' 

Stella  died  Aug.  10,  1865;  Ella  died  April  5,  1864. 

(6)  Florence'  Bell  Miller,  born  Feb.  11,  1871. 

4.  Ithamer®  C.  Wilder,  the  fourth  child  of  John 
and  Rebecca  (C.)  "Wilder,  born  July  19,  1802,  married 
Marshia  Miller,  the  first  Thursday  in  Dec,  1831,  Lived 
in  Dunimerston.     Had  one  child: 

(i)  Eliza'  Wilder,  born  Oct.  5,  1832,  married  in 
1852,  Robert  Arthur.     Six  children: 

(1)  Robert.'  (2)  George.'  (3)  Jennie.'  (4) 
Ernest.'    (5)     Frank.'    (6)     Alice' Arthur. 

Mr.  Arthur  died  May  3,  1866. 

5.  John*'  Wilder,  {John,^  Joshua  and  Margary*" 
D.,  David,^  Jona.,^  Henri/,^)  hovn  June  22,  1805,  mar- 
ried Jan.  14,  1835,  Sarah  Kidder,  of  Wardsboro,  Vt. 
He  died  in  Gill,  April  26,  1861.     Six  children: 

(i)  Pascal'  P.  Wilder,  born  Dec.  21,  1835,  died 
March  6,  1837. 

(ii)  Abbott'  P.  Wilder,  born  Jan.  13,  1838,  married 
July  23,  1862,  Adelia  Namoi?  Brown.     Have  one  child: 

(1)  Ethel'  May  Wilder,  born  at  Eau  Clair,  Wis., 
Jan.  24,  1875. 

(iii)  Sarah'  Corbin  Wilder,  born  Aug.  13,  1839, 
died  July  29,  1857. 

(iv)  Theodore'  S.  Wilder,  born  April  15,  1842, 
died  Dec.  6,  1846. 


192        HENRY    DUNSTER   AND   HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

18 

(v)  Sedgwick'  Porter  Wilder,  bom  May  28,  1847, 
married  Oct.  13,  1875,  Jennie  A.  Watson.  He  is  a 
Congregational  minister,  and  is  now  (1876)  preaching 
at  Springfield,  Mass. 

(vi)  Albaona'  K.  Wilder,  bom  April  4,  1851, 
died  next  day. 

6.  Kebecca®  Wilder,  {Jolin,^  Joshua  and  Margary*' 
D.,)  born  June  22,  1807,  married  Hiram  Newell,  March 
15,  1827.  They  lived  in  Townshend,  Vt.  In  1837  re- 
moved to  Dudley,  Mass.     Five  children: 

(i)  Phillip'  W.  New^ell,  bom  Dec.  12,  1827,  mar- 
ried Aug.  — ,  1868,  Harriet  L.  Perry,  of  Webster,  Mass. 
One  child:     (1)    George*  P.  Newell,  b.  July,  1869. 

(ii)  Amanda'  Newell,  bom  May  29,  1830,  married 
Aug.  1,  1855,  Levi  Clark.  They  live  in  Centralia,  Kan- 
sas.    Four  children: 

(1)  Martha' E.  Clark.  (2)  Ida' A.  Clark,  died 
in  infancy.  (3)  Lilian'  M.  Clark,  died  in  infancy. 
(4)    Lilian  '  E.  Clark. 

(iii)  Eussel'  S.  Newell,  born  Aug.  10,  1832,  mar- 
ried Nov.  6,  1865,  Anna  Edwards.  They  live  in  Frank- 
ford,  Kansas.     One  child: 

(1)     Effib'  F.  Newell,  born  Oct.  28,  1866. 

(iv)  Pascal'  J.  Newell,  born  Aug.  27,  1839,  mar- 
ried April  28,  1859,  Nancy  E.  Tenney,  of  Gill.  They 
live  in  Willimanset,  Mass.     Have  had  two  children: 

(1)  J.  Hiram'  Newell.  (2)  Edward'  P.  New- 
ell.    Both  died  in  infancy, 

(v)  Elizabeth'  Newell,  born  Sept.  25,  1845,  died 
March  20,  1855. 

vi.  Solomon^  Wilder,  {Joshua  ami  Margary^  Dun- 
ster,)  the  sixth  child  of  Joshua  and  Margary  (Dunster) 
Wilder,  was  born  Sundav,  Oct.  11,  1772,  at  Brattleboro, 
Vt.  He  married  Sunday,  Feb.  23,  1806,  Levinia  Miller, 
daughter  of  Vespatian  and  Abigail  (Church)  Miller, 
born  March  5,  1782,  in  Dummerston,  Vt.  They  lived 
on  the  old  place  of  their  father's.     He  died  in  Brattle- 


THE    WILDER    FAMILY,  193 

18 

boro,  March  16,  1832.     Slie  died  April  9,  1868.     Hud 

nine  children:  one  account  says  ten: 

1.  George"  Miller  Wilder,  born  Jan.  9,  1807, 
died  Aug.  9,  1811. 

2.  SL'San*  Wilder,  born  Dec.  2,  1808,  married  in 
Brattleboro,  April  21,  1845,  Asahel  Clapp.  She  died 
June  18,  1861.     They  had  two  children: 

(i)  George'  Huntixgtox  Clapp,  born  April  20, 
1846.  He  is  a  bookseller  (Cheney  &  Clapp),  in  Brattle- 
boro \'illage.  He  married  March  24,  1875,  Clara  A. 
Town,  of  Marlboro,  N.  H. 

(ii)    Arthur'  Braixard  Clapp,  born  Jan.  22,  1851. 

3.  Mart®  Wilder,  born  Feb.  5,  1811,  died  Nov. 

29,  1875,  unmarried. 

4.  Joseph"  Wilder,  born  Oct.  13,  1812,  married  in 
Newfane,  Vt.,  Dec.  6, 1843,  Delia  Ann  Merrifield.  Four 
children: 

(i)  Julia'  Virginia  Wilder,  born  Nov.  13,  1844, 
died  Dec.  4,  1861. 

(ii)    Emma'  Lewis  Wilder,  born ,  died . 

(iii)  Ella'  Louisa  Wilder,  born  Nov.  30,  1854,  died 
Jan.  8,  1863. 

(iv)    Jexnie'  Ellen  Wilder,  born  July  4,  1863. 

5.  Sarah"  Wilder,  born  April  2,  1815,  died  Sept. 

30,  1818. 

6.  George"  AxsoN"  Wilder,  b.  May  26,  1817,  unm. 

7.  Marshall"  Wilder,  born  Oct.  25,  1819,  unm. 

8.  Jane"  Eebecca  Wilder,  born  May  14,  1823, 
lives  with  her  two  brothers,  George  A.  and  Marshall 
Wilder,  on  the  farm  settled  more  than  a  hundred  years 
ago  by  their  grandfather.  She  is  unmarried.  Much  in- 
formation of  the  Wilder  family  came  from  her. 

9.  Eussel"  Keyes  Wilder,  born  April  27,  1826, 
died  Aug.  31,  1828. 

vii.  Margery^  Wilder,  born  Thursday,  Oct.  20, 
1774,  was  the  seventh  child  of  Joshua  and  Margary 
(Dunster)  Wilder.  "  She  married  David  Harron,  and 
Was  living,  the  last  I  heard  of  her  (some  ten  years  since). 


194        HENRY   DUNSTER   AND   HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

18 

ill  Batavia,  New  York.  I  know  of  no  one  to  refer  you 
to  for  their  record."  {Jane  R.  Wilder.)  They  lived  for- 
merly in  Colerain.  She  died  in  Pembrook,  N.  Y.  {L. 
Wilder. ) 

viii.  Charisse^  Wilder,  (JosJiua  and  Margary* 
Dunster,  David,^  Jonatlian^^  Henry,^)  the  eighth  child 
of  Joshua  and  Margary  (Dunster)  Wilder,  was  born  Sat- 
urday, the  19th  of  Oct.,  1776.  She  married  Oct.  26, 
1797,  William  Farr,  Jr.,  of  Brattleboro,  a  farmer.  She 
died  at  Carthage,  111.,  July  15,  1841.  He  died  at  the 
same  place,  Dec.  7,  same  year.   They  had  eleven  children : 

1.  Eunice®  Farr,  born  at  Brattleboro,  May  3, 1798, 
married  March  5,  183Ji,  Jacob  Boyce,  son  of  Nathan 
Boyce.  They  lived  in  Fayston,  Vt.  He  waS  a  farmer, 
and  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church.  They  had 
eight  children,  all  born  and  married  in  Fayston: 

(i)     Daniel^   Boyce,  born  ,  mar.   .     The 

family  are  Methodists.     Had  three  children: 

(1)  Eugene^  Boyce.  )  No   further  record.      There 

(2)  Sakah^  Boyce.     >•     is  one  child  of   the  9th 

(3)  Anna*  Boyce.       i  generation. 

(ii)     Maria'  Boyce,  born  ,  married 


Carrol.  He  is  a  farmer,  lives  in  Waitsfield,  Yt,  The 
family  are  Methodists.     They  have  two  children: 

(1)     Fred.*  Carrol.     (2)     George*  Carrol. 

(iii)    Mary'  Boyce,  married ,  James  P.  Boyce? 

Is  a  farmer,  lives  in  Fayston.  Have  seven  children  '(8th 
generation),  and  ten  grand-children  (9th  generation). 
No  record  of  them. 

(iv)  Seth'  Boyce,  married  Caroline  Hills.  Is  a  far- 
mer.    Resides  in  Fayston.     No  children. 

(v)  Carrissa'  Boyce,  married  Walter  Porter.  He 
is  a  farmer.  The  family  are  Adventists.  They  have 
two  children: 

(1)     Carrie*  Porter.     (2)     Lilian*  Porter. 

(vi)  Tarah?'  Boyce,  married  William  Chipman. 
Adventists,     They  have  three  children. 


THE    FARR    FAMILY.  195 

18 

(vii)  Hiram'  Boyce,  married  Betsey  Eaton.  Is  a 
farmer.     Six  children.     Family  Methodists. 

(viii)  Guy'  Boyce,  married  Tamar  Porter.  No  chil- 
dren. Episcopalians.  Eesides  in  Giles,  N.  Y.  He  en- 
listed in  1861,  in  Co.  K,  44th  Regt.  Mass.  Vols. 

2.  Margary*  Farr,  born  at  Dummerston.Vt.,  Nov. 
23,  1800,  married  March  31,  1S23,  Philo  Talcott.  She 
died  at  Louisville,  N.  Y.,  1870  or  71.  Had  three  chil- 
dren— five  grand-children. 

3.  Thomas®  Griswold  Wait  Farr,  born  at  Fayston, 
Vt.,  Oct.  16,  1802,  was  the  first  male  child  born  in  that 
town.  He  married,  at  Waitsfield,  June  7,  1840,  Fanny 
Hatch.  Is  a  farmer.  He  furnished  the  record  of  the 
Farr  family.     They  have  one  child. 

4.  Anna*  Farr,  born  Jan.  19,  1805,  married  May 
1,  1824,  Peter  Drew,  a  farmer.  Universalists.  Have 
had  four  children: 

(i)  Hannah'  Drew,  married  David  Belding.  Has 
two  children: 

(1)    Frank*  Belding.     (2)     Anna^  Belding. 

(ii)     Anna'  Drew,  dead,  (iii)  Infant. '   (iv)  Infant.' 

5.  William «  Farr,  born  Feb.  12,  1807,  died  Nov. 
21,  1809. 

6.  Polly®  Farr,  born  at  Wilhston,  Vt,  Feb.  16, 
1809,  married  March  30,  1828,  Jonas  Hobert.  He  is  a 
"natural  mechanic,"  lives  at  Carthage,  111.  Congrega- 
tionalists.  Have  ten  children:  Harriet,  Eliza,  Caro- 
line, Emaline,  Annette,  Pardon,  Thomas.  Three,  names 
unknown. 

7.  Martha®  Farr,  born  Feb.  14,  1811,  at  Rich- 
mond, Vt.,  married  Jan.  25,  1829,  Russell  Drew,  a  far- 
mer.   Universalists.    Live  in  Waitsfield.    Four  children: 

(i)     William'  S.  Drew,  mar. Has  four  children. 

(ii)    Lauria'  Drew,  mar.  Holden.     Are  Con- 

gregationalists.  •  Had  five  children — two  living. 

(iii)  Eliza'  Drew,  married  Palmer.     UniAcrsa- 

lists.     Have  five  children. 
18 


196         HENRY    DUNSTER-AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

18 

(iv)   Maria''   Drew,    married  Avery.      She   is 

dead.     Had  two  children. 

These  four  families  are  all  farmers. 

8.  Electa®  Farr,  born  at  "Williston,  Vt.,  Jan.  11, 
1813,  married  Feb.  14,  1836,  Sidney  S.  Hills,  of  Dux- 
bury.     He  is  a  farmer.     They  have  "five  children: 

(i)  Leah''  Hills.  She  is  dead,  (ii)  Caroline'' 
Hills,  (iii)  Orin'  Hills,  dead,  (iv)  Orin'  W. 
Hills.      (v)      Hasten'  Hills. 

9.  Eliza®  Farr,  born  at  Williston,  May  7,  1815, 
died  at  Fayston,  March  30,   1832. 

10.  Ltdia®  Farr,  born  at  Williston,  May  10,  1817, 
married  March  4,  1841,  Peter  Comer,  of  Carthage,  111, 
He  is  a  cooper.  The  family  are  Seventh  Day  Adventists. 
They  had  six  children: 

(i)  Joseph''  Comer.  He  is  a  Surveyor  and  Post- 
master.    Married .     Has  three  children. 

(ii)    Thomas''  Comer,  married .     Two  children. 

(iii)  Mildreth'  Comer,  dead,    (iv)    Wm.'  Copier. 

11.  Joseph®  Farr,  born.  June  27,  1820,  at  Hines- 
burgh,  mar.  at  Waitsfield,  Oct.  9,  1856,  Eliza  A.  Thayer. 
Have  five  children:  Lewis,  Albert,  Marthy  and  Adda 
(twins),  Anna  Farr. 

ix.  Joseph^  Wilder,  the  ninth  child  of  Joshua  and 
Margary  (Du.nster)  Wilder,  born  Wednesday,  Jan.  13  th 
or  18th,  1779,  married  Alice  Stoddard.  Lived  in  Ches- 
terfield, N.  H.  He  died  of  cholera  in  1833,  at  Genesee 
or  Buffalo. 

X.  Damaris^  Wilder,  {JosJina  and  Margary*  D., 
David,^  Jona.,''  Henry,'')  born  March  10,  1781,  in  Brat- 
tleboro,  Vt.,  married  Dec,  7,  1797,  Samuel  Chamberlain, 
born  in  Chesterfield,  N.  H.,  Aug.  22,  1773.  She  died 
Sept.  25,  1843.  He  died  March  3,  1852.  They  had 
seven  children,  all  born  in  Chesterfield: 

1.  Joshua®  Wilder  Chamberlain,  born  Jan.  29, 
1799,  married  Sept.  20,  1823,  Mary  Wilson,  born  May 
17,  1807.     She  died  May  5,  1871.     Had  four  children: 


THE    CHAMBERLAIN    FAMILY.  197 

18 

(i)  Mary'  Ann"  Chamberlain,  born  April  2,  1824. 
She  married  Dec.  17,  1844.  John  Harris,  born  Oct.  20, 
1820.     She  died  July  23,  18G3. 

(ii)  Olive'  Chamberlain,  born  June  13,  1826,  died 
July  6,  1841. 

(iii)  Joshua'  W.  Chamberlain,  Jr.,  born  June  24, 
1829,  married  March  26,  1854,  Mrs.  Harriet  M.  (John- 
son) Swan,  born  May  4,  1822.     Had  four  children: 

(1)  Anna®  Chamberlain,  born  April  4,  1855. 

(2)  Gertrude*  0.  Chamberlain,  born  March  2, 
1858,  died  March  4,  1862. 

(3)  D.®  Wilder  Chamberlain,  born  April  19,  1860. 

(4)  Eichard®  J.  Chamberlain,  born  May  6,  1863, 
died  Oct.  4,  1873. 

(iv)  Josiah'  Chamberlain,  born  Oct.  4,  1831,  mar- 
ried first,  June  18,  1855,  Ellen  S.  Goodrich,  born  Feb. 
15,  1833.     She  had: 

(1)  Charles®  W.  Chamberlain,  born  April  14, 
1856.  She  (Ellen)  died  Feb.  12,  1857,  and  he  married 
second,  Aug.  10,  1858,  Lena  Bowman,  born  Sept.  5, 
1835.     She  had  three  children: 

(2)  Arthur'  B.  Chamberlain,  born  Jan.  18,  1860. 

(3)  Ralph®  W.  Chamberlain,  born  Jan.  5,  1861. 

(4)  Judith®  M.  Chamberlain,  born  May  20,  1865. 

Josiah'  Chamberlain  died  Jan.  18,  1867. 

2.  Alanson*  Chamberlain,  the  second  child  of 
Samuel  and  Damaris  (Wilder)  C,  born  March  24,  1801, 
married  first,  Nov.  2,  1831,  Eliza  A.  Thompson,  born 
Jan.  27,  1807.     She  had  three  children: 

(i)  Ithamar'  Chamberlain,  born  Oct.  20,  1832, 
died  Sept.  17,  1855. 

(ii)  Asa'  T.  Chamberlain,  born  Feb.  26,  1834,  died 
Jan.  26,  1852. 

(iii)  William'  Chamberlain,  born  Oct.  29,  1837. 

She  (Eliza  A.)  died  Jan.  4,  1839,  and  Alanson  C. 
married  second,  July  7,  1844,  Abigail  Pierce,  born  Dec. 
12,  1800.     She  died\\pril  29,  1858. 


198         HENRY    DUNSTER   AND   HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

18 

3.  JosiAH®  Chamberlain,  boni  Oct.  26,  1803,  died 
June  5,  1827. 

4.  Alfred^  Chamberlain,  born  Oct.  14,  180G,  mar- 
ried March  20,  1834,  Emily  H.  Farr,  born  April  25, 
1815.     Eeside  in  Newark,  Vt.     Had  four  children: 

(i)  Helen'  E.  Chamberlain,  born  Feb.  21,  1836, 
married  Sept.  19,  1854,  Frank  A.  Way,  born  July  7, 
1834.     Two  children: 

(1)  Ada'  E.  Way,  born  May  18,  1859. 

(2)  William  «  C.  Way,  born  May  22,  1862. 

(ii)  Olive'  A.  Chamberlain,  born  Jan.  15,  1844, 
married  Sept.  16,  1869,  Edward  A.  Turner,  born  March 
6,  1844.     Two  children: 

(1)  Mabel'  E.  Turner,  born  Nov.  1,  1871. 

(2)  Edwin'  0.  Turner,  born  May  30,  1875. 

(iii)  Norman  '  F.  Chamberlain,  born  Dec.  18,  1846, 
died  Feb.  21,  1852. 

(iv)  Emma'  H.  Chamberlain,  born  Feb.  26,  1851, 
died  Feb.  28,  1852. 

5.  George®  Chamberlain,  {Samuel^  and  Damaris 
{'Wilder),  Josh  xa  and  Margary*  {Dunster),  David,^  Jona."^ 
Henry,)  the  fifth  child  of  Samuel  and  Damaris  (Wilder) 
Chamberlain,  was  born  May  23,  1811,  married  Dec.  14, 
1837,  Diantha  Thompson,  born  Jan.  25,  1812.  Resides 
in  West  Chesterfield,  -^^^If  He  furnished  the  facts  here 
recorded  of  Damaris  (Wilder)  Chamberlain's  family. 
No  items  of  their  history,  business  or  profession,  were 
given,  unless  the  closing  sentence  of  this  paragra])h  fur- 
nishes a  hint  of  his  profession:  "As  to  our  religious 
belief  I  will  say,  we  all  as  one,  believe  in  and  worship  an 
unchangeable  Being  of  Love,  who  punishes  the  sins  of 
all  his  children  through  love,  and  for  the  good  of  the 
punished.  We  do  not  believe  in  creeds,  but  in  one  com- 
mon God  of  Love;  and  when  his  children  shall  return  to 
goodness,  all  will  be  love  and  happiness.  You  may  use 
what  name  you  think  applicable  to  such  a  belief.  I  will 
further  say,  w.e  have  a  religious  meeting  one  half  of  the 
time  in  West  Chesterfield,  whose  pastor  acknowledges 
our  frailties,  and  prays  for  all  mankind  as  brothers." 


THE    CHAMBERLAIN    FAMILY.  199 

18 

6.  Samuel*  Chamberlaix,  Jr.,  born  Jan.  '-^8,  1813, 
nuirriecl  Dec.  22,  1841,  Elmira  Thompson,  born  Sept. 
29,  1813.  She  died  Aug.  28,  1844.  He  married  second, 
Aug.  15,  1858,  JU^rs.  Laura  T.  (Barrett)  Atherton,  born 
May  26,  182G.     She  had  one  child: 

(i)  Martha^  E.  Chamberlain,  born  Sept.  9,  1859, 
died  Dec.  9,  1860. 

Laura  T.  Chamberlain,  second  Avife  of  Samuel  C,  Jr., 
died  Nov.  18,  18G0.  He  married  third,  Nov.  27,  1863, 
Mrs.  Mary  E.  (Swan)  Holden,  born  July  22,  1832. 
They  had  two  children: 

(ii)  Alice ^  E.  Chamberlain,  born  Sept.  20,  1863, 
died  Sept.  14,  1865. 

(iii)  Laura'  S.  Chamberlain,  born  Sept.  3,  1866. 

7.  Elizabeth  ®  Damaris  Chamberlain,  the  young- 
est child  of  Samuel  and  Damaris  (Wilder)  Chamberlain, 
born  March  3,  1823,  married  April  17,  1849,  Shubel  H. 
Randall,  born  June  27,  1824.  Reside  at  Bellows  Falls, 
Vt.     Five  children: 

(i)  Urban'  S.  Randall,  born  Oct.  23,  1850,  died 
Aug.  23,  1853. 

(ii)  George'  C.  Randall,  born  July  19,  1854,  died 
Oct.  5,  1862. 

(iii)  Sidney'  S.  Randall,  born  June  9,  1856,  died 
Feb.  22,  1857. 

(iv)  Henry'  L.  Randall,  born  Oct.  30,  1858. 

(v)    Jessie'  E.  Randall,  born  Aug.  12,  1865. 

xi.  Phenica^  Wilder,  the  eleventh  child  of  Joshua 
and  Margary^  (Dunster)  Wilder,  born  Wednesday,  May 

5,  1784,  married ,  James  Wait.     No  farther  record. 

It  is  thought  she  died  in  Michigan. 

xii.  Eunice^  Wilder,  the  twelfth  and  last  child  of 
Joshua  and  Margary  (Dunster)  Wilder,  born  Julv  11, 
1788,  married  Nov.  "^30,  1806,  Simeon  Duncan.  They 
lived  in  Dummerston,  Vt.,  about  two  years,  then  re- 
moved to  Brattleboro  for  a  short  time.  In  June,  1810, 
they  removed  to  Sandy  Creek,  then  called  Richland, 
*18 


200        HENRY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

18-19 

Oswego  County,  N.  Y.  They  were~  farmers.  He  was  a 
deacon  of  the  Congregational  (Orthodox)  Church.  He 
died  Nov.  31,  1843.  She  died  Feb.  3,  1855,  of  con- 
sumption, brought  on  by  grief  for  the  death  of  her 
daughter  Charrissa.  They  and  their  deceased  children 
are  buried  at  Sandy  Creek  Cemetery.  They  had  live 
children: 

1.  Mary*  Ann  Duncan,  born  at  Dummerston,  Vt., 
Feb.  39,  1808.  She  resides  at  Sandy  Creek,  on  the  farm 
bought  by  her  father  in  1810.  To  her,  the  credit  of  this 
record  of  Simeon  and  Eunice  (Wilder)  Duncan's  family 
belongs.     She  is  unmarried. 

3.  Anson®  Maltby  Duncan,  born  at  Sandy  Creek, 
Aug.  38,  1810,  married  June  10,  1840,  Angeline  T.War- 
ner; married  by  Rev.  C.  B.  Pond,  at  Sandy  Creek.  They 
lived  there,  then  at  Pulaski,  In  Oct.,  1855,  removed  to 
Beloit,  Wis.,  where  he  resides,  with  a  second  wife.  Had 
three  children: 

(i)  Mary'  E.  Duncan,  ''died  five  or  six  years  ago. 
She  was  a  graduate  of  Fox  Lake  Seminary." 

(ii)  Eunice'  R.  Duncan,  "married,  and  lives  in 
California. " 

(iii)  Ellen'  B.  Duncan,  "lives  with  her  father,  and 
attends  school."  These  daughters,  Eunice  and  Ellen, 
are  the  extent  of  Eunice  (Wilder)  Duncan's  lineage. 

3.  Electa*  Duncan,  the  third  child  of  Simeon  and 
Eunice  (Wilder)  Duncan,  was  born  at  Sandy  Creek,  Jan. 
13,  1814.     She  lives  with  her  sister  Mary  Ann.     Unm. 

4.  George*  "Washington  Duncan,  born  June  13, 
1831,  died  July  38,  1837. 

5.  Susan*  Charrissa  Duncan,  born  Nov.  IG,  1830, 
"was  a  teacher  at  Pulaski.  She  was  taken  sick  with 
typhus  fever,  brought  home,  and  died  in  two  weeks, 
Oct.  11,  1854." 

The  family  of  S.  Duncan  "are  Calvinists  in  their 
religious  views;  and  all  who  came  to  maturity,  united 
with  the  Congregational  Church  at  Sandy  Creek," 

19»  vi.  RuHAMAH*  DuNSTEH,  (David,^  f/o)iafhaH,^ 
Henry,^)  was  the  sixth   child   and  fourth   daughter  of 


THE    BAILEY    FAMILY.  201 

19 

David  luid  Mary  (RnssoU)  Dunstcr.  8hc  was  probably 
bom  in  Westminster,  but  the  date  of  her  birth  lias  not 
been  found.  8he  is  called  in  the  will,  '•  Ruluunah,  my 
fourth  daughter."  Had  she  been  born  in  Cambridge, 
her  baptism  would  have  been   recorded   by  Mr.  Cooke. 

She  married ,  Dudley  Bailey.     They  appear  to  have 

settled  in  Dummerston,  Vt.,  and  lived  on  a  farm.  He 
died  in  Dummerston,  March  S,  1812.  She  died  there, 
also,  March  8,  1835,  having  lived  a  widow  just  twenty- 
three  years.     They  had  five  children: 

i.     Polly  ^  Bailey^,  born ,  married  Joel  French, 

born .     Both  died  at  Dummerston.     They  had  six 

children : 

1.  Joel®  French.  2.     David®  Frexch. 

3.  Solomon  ®  Fr»nch.         4.     Henry^®  French. 

5.  Nathaniel®  French,  now  living  in  Pennsylvania. 

6.  William  ®  French,  died  young. 

ii.     Levi^  Bailey,  born ,  died  March  13,  1851. 

iii.  David  ^  Bailey,  married  Lydia  Allen,  of  Marl- 
boro. He  died  March  19,  1867.  They  had  twelve 
children: 

1.  Electa®  Bailey^  married  William  Merriam.  She 
died  at  Peterboro,  N.  H.,  when  21  years  and  8  months 
old.     Her  husband  died  soon  after.     They  had  one  son: 

(i)     Joseph' Merriam. 

After  half  of  the  MS.  was  printed,  and  this  part  was 
being  reviewed,  an  interest  was  felt  in  the  welfare  of  this 
child,  bereaved  so  early  of  both  parents,  and  the  more 
so  as  he  had  on  our  record  the  same  name  as  our  own 
maternal  grandfather. 

Recollecting  an  old  chum,  William  B.  Kimball,  resid- 
ing in  Peterboro,  with  whom,  in  our  apprenticeship,  we 
became  '*'  skillful  at  sawing  planks,"  with  a  hand-saw — 
hard  wood,  well  seasoned,  and  three  inches  thick — we 
wrote,  and  he  replied  that: 

•'  There  was  a  William  ^Merriam,  who  came  from  Ches- 
ter, Vt.,  about  1825,  who  had  one  child  by  his  first  wife, 
whose  name  was  William  Henry  Merriam.     His  first  wife 


302         HENRY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

(lied,  and  he  afterwards  married  again,  bnt  did  not  live 
more  than  a  year  or  two  after  his  second  marriage.  He 
and  his  first  wife  were  both  bnried  in  Peterboro.  His 
son,  William  H.  Merriam,  is  in  Boston.  He  is  deacon 
of  the  Berkeley  Street  Chnrch.  I  cannot  find  any  other 
William  M.  who  lived  in  P.  His  son's  name  was  Wil- 
liam H.  instead  of  Joseph." 

Following  this  trail,  a  response  came  dated 

''No.  172  Washington  street,  ) 

Boston,  Feb.  26,  1877.  \ 

'■'Dear  Sir: — Yoxir  favor  of  21st  inst.,  came  to  hand 
on  Saturday.  In  reply,  I  hardly  have  reason  to  suppose 
that  I  can  be  the  missing  link  of  your  chain.  The  record 
left  bv  my  father,  William  Merriam,  states  that  he  mar- 
ried Electa  Bailey.  Sept.  11,  1825."  I  (William  H.  Mer- 
riam) was  born  July  IG,  1826,  at  Peterboro,  N.  H.,  and 
my  own  mother,  Electa,  died  28th  of  same  month,  when 
I  was  less  than  two  weeks  old.  My  father  married 
again,  in  Peterboro,  having  a  daughter  by  second  mar- 
riage, and  he  died  in  1831,  when  I  was  only  five  years 
old.  I  left  Peterboro  at  nine  years  of  age,  and  have 
never  been  able  to  trace  any  relative  on  my  mother's 
side,  or  learn  anything  whatever  of  her  parentage  or  her 
native  place.  I  was  told  by  my  step-mother  and  her 
friends,  when  I  made  in(|uiries  in  regard  to  my  mother's 
family,  that  they  did  not  know  anything  further  about 
her  than  the  simple  record  of  the  date  of  her  birth,  mar- 
riage, and  death,  written  by  my  father  in  the  Family 
Bible.  My  grandmother,  my  father's  stej)- mother,  told 
me  several  years  ago,  that  some  gentlemen  called  on 
her,  then  living  at  Ware,  Mass.,  to  inquire  about  me, 
a  few  years  after  my  father's  death,  saying  they  were 
brothers  of  my  mother,  their  name  not  being  Bailey,  but 
what  it  was  she  could  not  recollect;  and  that  was  the 
only  time  she  ever  saw  or  heard  from  them. 

"I  never  knew  that  my  father  lived  in  Chester,  Vt. ; 
but  one  thing  struck  me  strangely,  and  that  was,  the 
name  you  bear — '  Dunster'— in  connection  with  a  mem- 
ory I  have  of  being  told  by  some  one,  when  I  was  about 
fourteen  years  old,  that  they  had  heard  that  my  own 


WILLIAM    II.    MERRIAM.  205 

19 

mother  came  from  or  had  relatives  in  Dummerstoii.  I 
wrote  to  Dummerstoii,  but  could  find  no  trace  of  any 
Bailey  family  ever  residing  there;  and  now  this  informa- 
tion from  you  that  William  Merriam  (my  father,  possi- 
bly) came  from  Chester,  and  married  a  Dnnster,  has 
raised  a  query  in  my  mind  if  the  Dummerston  story 
could  have  grown  from  Chester  and  the  name  Dunder, 
and  the  long  mystery  to  me  of  my  mother's  i)arentage 
can  possibly  be  solved  in  this  way.  I  presume  it  will 
hardly  be  possible  to  trace"this  matter  out,  if  it  ])e  trace- 
able at  all,  in  season  to  be  printed  with  the  manuscript 
you  have  prepared. 

"  If  there  be  tlie  slightest  probability  that  my  mother 
may  have  been  a  Dunster,  or  a  descendant  of  that  fam- 
ily, the  difficulties  in  tlie  way  of  ascertaining  anything 
certain  about  it,  at  this  late  day,  Avonld  be  formidable. 
I  Avould  feel  obliged  if  you  would  give  me  any  informa- 
tion of  the  members  of  the  family  into  which  my  father 

is  supposed  to  have  married. 

Very  respectfully  yours, 

William  H.  Merriam." 

Mr.  M.,  by  referring  to  the  record  above,  will  find 
that  instead  of  being  without  relatives,  as  he  supposed, 
his  grandfather,  David*  Bailey,  married  Lydia  Allen, 
and  tlie}^  had  twelve  children,  ten  of  whom  were  mar- 
ried, and  seven  had  children,  and  that  his  mother,  Elec- 
ta,® was  the  oldest  of  their  family;  and  he  himself  has. 
announced  that  his  grandfather  ,on  the  other  side  had 
twenty-three  children.  These,  we  have  no  authority  to 
hnut  up.     A  subsequent  letter  said: 

"I  am  both  greatly  surprised  and  extremely  gratified 
to  catch  a  glimpse,  through  your  researches,  behind  the 
cloud  tliat  has  so  long  obscured  from  me  any  trace  of 
my  maternal  kindred.  I  am  most  happy  to  receive  such 
assuring  and  agreeable  testimony  from  you  of  the  status 
of  my  mother  and  her  relatives,  the  subject  of  so  many 
imaginings,  not  to  say  forebodings,  Avitli  me  in  the  long 
past. 

"My  father,  William  Merriam,  [the  husband  of  1. 
Electa''  BaileyJ  was  the  son  of  James  and  Lucy  — .  Mer- 
riam, and  was  one  of  a  family  of  twenty-three  children. 


204        HENRY    DUNSTER   AND   HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

19 

He  was  a  mechanic  and  an  overseer  in  a  cotton  mill  at 
Peterboro,  at  the  time  of  my  birth.  In  religions  faith 
he  was  a  Unitarian,  and  in  evidence  of  his  faith  he  de- 
sired his  pastor,  Eev.  Mr.  Abbot,  to  baptize  his  two  little 
children  at  his  bedside,  in  his  last  hours  on  earth.  He 
was  born  April  27,  1802,  and  died  Oct.  28,  1831,  aged 
29  years  and  5  months.  My  mother,  Electa  Bailey,  was 
born  Nov.  25,  1804.     They  were  married  Sept.  11,  1825. 

She  died  July  28,  1826." 

« 

(i)  William'  B.'e.:sry  Merriam,  {Willimn  and  Elec- 
ta^ Bailey,  David,^  Dudley  and  Ruhamah*'  Dunster, 
David,^  Jona.,^  Henry, ^)  the  only  child  of  William  and 
Electa  (Bailey)  Merriam,  was  born  in  Peterboro,  N.  H., 
July  16,  1826.  After  the  death  of  his  father,  he  re- 
mained under  the  care  of  his  step-mother,  Betsey  (Tap- 
lin)  Merriam,  "a  most  estimable  woman,"  (married  to 
Mr.  M.  Dec.  4,  1829,  and  by  whom  she  had  Elizabeth 
Merriam,  born  Jan.  3,  1831.)  until  he  was  nine  years 
old,  "  when  he  was  placed  on  a  farm  in  Lempster,  N.  H., 
under  the  care  of  a  family  who  were  what  they  professed 
to  be, — Christian  peo])le,  of  the  Orthodox  Congregational 
denomination."  At  fourteen,  he  graduated  frorn  the 
farm  to  a  country  store,  tinding  his  way  to  Boston  in 
1848,  at  the  age  of  twenty-two.  From  a  clerkship  in  an 
auction  house  in  Boston,  he  succeeded,  in  1854,  to  the 
extensive  business  of  the  house  on  his  own  account,  con- 
tinuing the  same  till  1872.  In  religious  faith  he  is  an 
Orthodox  Congregationalist,  On  removing  from  the 
city  proper,  in  1873,  he  resigned  his  oflice  in  the  Berkeley 
Street  Church,  and  took  membership  in  the  Walnut 
Avenue  Congregational  Church.  His  business  is  Auc- 
tioneer and  Real  Estate  Broker;  and  as  he  resides  at  No. 
28  Greenville  street,  Boston  Highlands,  we  take  it  he 
is  reckoned  among  tiie  '"'solid  men"  of  Boston.  He 
married,  at  Boston,  Feb.  24,  1851,  Maria  Antoinette 
Buel,  daughter  of  Matthew  and  Fanny  P.  Buel,  of  New- 
port, N.  H.,  who  was  born  June  30,  1830.  They  have 
had  three  children: 

(1)  William®  Loring  Merriam,  born  March  25, 
1859,  died  Dec.   7,  same  year. 


THE    BAILEY    FAMILY.  205 

19 

(2)  Fannie*  Elisabeth  Merriam,  born  in  Boston, 
Jnly  3,  1864 — their  only  surviving  child. 

(;J)  Xellie*  Maria  Merriam,  born  April  5,  1866, 
died  Sept.  5,  same  year. 

2.  Anna®  Bailey',  ''married  Daniel  Baldwin,  of 
Wardsboro.  She  is  now  a  widow,  living  in  Dummerston, 
near  her  grandfather's  place.  From  her  I  learned  this 
history  of  the  Bailey  family.  She  has  no  children." 
{Jane  R.  Wilder. ) 

3.  Levi®  Bailey,  married  Elizabeth  Bryant.  Re- 
sides in  Dummerston.     No  children. 

4.  Jason®  Russel  Bailey',  mar. Emily  Bryant. 

Resides  in  Shoply,  Canada  East.     Have  five  children: 

(i)     Russel' Bailey.       (iv.)  Polly  Ann' Bailey. 
ni)    Melissa' Bailey,      (v.)    Datid' Bailey. 
(iii)  Hannah  '  Bailey. 

5.  Ephraim®  Bailey^,  married  Harriet  Sibley,  of 
Newfane,  Vt.  Resides  at  Shoply,  Canada  East.  Have 
five  daughters: 

(i)   Lydia' Bailey.  (iv)  Betsey' Bailey. 

(ii)  Emily' Almedas  Bailey,    (v)  Lucy' Bailey. 
(iii)  Anna'  Bailey'. 

C.     Silas®  Bailey,  mar. Arvilla  Jackson.     Lives 

on  the  farm   settled  by  his  grandfather  75  years  ago. 
Have  one  son:     (i)     David '"Bailey. 

7.  Chester®  Bailey,  mar.  Beulah  Gove,  of  Straf- 
ford, Vt.     Lives  in  Brattleboro.     Two  children: 

(i)    Julia'  Bailey,     (ii)     Isaac  '  Bailey. 

8.  Abnek®  Bailey',  mar.  Caroline  Huntley.  Res. 
in  West  Dummerston.     No  children. 

9.  William®  Bailey,  married  first,  Lois  Gould; 
married  second,  Caroline  Smith.  Resides  in  W^orcester, 
Mass.     Have  had  five  children,  two  living: 

Emma'  Eugene  Bailey,  Kate  '  Antoinette  Bailey. 

10.  John®  Bailey,  born  ,  died,  aged  20  years. 

11.  Lawson®  Bailey,  born ,  died,  aged  5  years 

and  6  months. 


206         HENRY    DUNSTER   AND   HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

iiO  21 

12.  Orra®  Bailey,  married  Julia  Pettee.  Reside  in 
Michigan.     Two  children: 

(i)     Fred.'' Bailey'.     (ii)     Frank '' Bailey. 

iv.  Henry  ^  Bailey,  (son  of  Dudley  and  Euhamah 
(Dunster)  Bailey,)  married  Sally  Dill,  of  Plainfield. 
Ilesides  in  Peterhoro,  N.  Y.     Have  several  children. 

V.     Ephraim  ^  Bailey,  born ,  died  June,  1803. 

20.  vii.  Henry*  Dunster,  {David,^  Jonatlian,'^ 
Henry,^)  is  called  in  his  father's  will,  "Carteret  Henry, 
my  youngest  son."  The  date  of  his  birth  has  not  been 
found.  He  certainly  was  not  twenty-one  years  of  age  in 
1758,  the  date  of  the  will.  He  has  uniformly  been  called 
the  youngest  child.  We  have  no  data  of  his  history, 
■except  that  he  married  Nov.  — ,  1778,  Anna  Peirce,  of 
Leominster,  Mass.,  and  sold  liis  farm,  which  adjoined 
that  of  Hubbard  Dunster,  to Woods. 

Mrs.  Estabrook  said:  "My  Uncle  Henry  died  in 
Princeton,  Mass.,  in  a  fit.  He  was  married,  but  had 
no  children." 

21,  i.  RuTH^  Dunster,  {Jason,*  Henry, ^  Jona.,"^ 
Henry,^)  the  first  child  of  Jason  and  Rebecca  (Cutter) 
Dunster,  was  born  in  Cambridge,  Aug.  10,  (Aug.  21,  N. 
S.,)  and  baptized  by  Rev.  Samuel  Cooke,  Aug.  12,  1750. 
She  married  (probably  in  Mason,  N.  H.,  but  we  can  find 
no  record  of  it.)  Joseph  Blood,  the  son  of  Joseph  and 
Hannah  — .  Blood,  of  Groton,  Mass.  He  was  born  July 
29,  1743,  and  resided  in  Mason  at  the  time  her  father 
moved  tliere,  and  not  far  from  his  farm.  He  was  chosen 
Fence  Viewer  and  Surveyor  of  Highway  in  1768.  Their 
marriage  must  have  been  soon  after  slie  went  to  Mason. 
He  enlisted  in  Captain  Mann's  company  soon  after  the 
battle  at  Lexington,  and  joined  the  army  at  Cambridge. 
He  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  Mrs.  Imla 
Parker,  referred  to  in  the  record  of  the  Marrett  family, 
page  72,  stated  that  Joseph  Blood,  on  his  way -down  from 
Mason,  staid  at  her  Grandfather  Marrett's  the  night  be- 
fore the  battle.  Her  grandfather  was  Amos  Marrett, 
who  married  Mary*  Dunster.  She  was  aunt  to  Joseph 
Blood's  wife.     That  he  started  in  the  morning  in  high 


RUTH*  DUNSTER.  207 

21 

spirits,  and  went  b}'  the  way  of  Cambridge.  That  he  was 
killed  very  early  in  the  battle  by  a  cannon  ball  striking 
him  in  the  neck.  She  did  not  know  where  he  was  buried. 
His  wife,  Ruth*  (Dunster)  Blood,  kept  the  family  to- 
gether as  well  as  she  could,  on  the  farm  of  her  husband, 
till  her  death  in  1787.  On  the  3d  of  May,  1787,  her 
father  took  out  letters  of  administration  on  the  estate, 
which  did  not  quite  pay  the  debts.  The  enumera- 
tion of  small  articles  {Probate  Records  Hillshoro  Co., 
May  8,  1787,)  is  shameful,  though  ''according  to  law." 
Her  father,  however,  stopped  a  2^uhJic  sale  of  them  by 
charging  himself  with  the  wdiole  inventory,  and  enough 
besides  to  pay  all  the  debts.  At  the  end  of  the  inventory 
is  added,  after  the  footing  of  the  articles,  "One  gold 
ring,  7  shillings."  Was  that  handed  down  in  the  family 
for  generations,  and  then  wrested  "by  law"  from  her 
children?  It  was  their  "mother's  gold  ring."  Jan.  8, 
1787,  Jason  Dunster,  her  father,  was  appointed  guardian 
of  Joseph  and  Sylvanus  Blood.  July  10,  1790,  Jotham 
Webber  was  appointed  "guardian  of  William  Cutter 
Blood,  of  Mason,  being  upwards  of  fourteen  years  old." 

The  place  of  her  burial  is  not  certainly  identified.  In 
1770,  the  town  "voted  to  have  but  one  grave  yard,  and 
voted  to  accept  of  that  piece  of  ground  for  a  grave  yard 
which  the  committee  that  was  appointed  to  lay  out  grave 
yards  have  laid  out  at  the  west  end  of  lot  6  in  9th  range, 
on  the  west  side  of  the  road  that  goeth  to  Townsheud." 
In  1776,  the  town  "voted  to  procure  a  grave  yard  for 
the  use  of  the  town,  and  that  Lieut.  Swallow  and  Mr. 
John  Whitaker  dig  the  graves  that  are  '  reasonably ' 
needed  in  said  town."  {Mason  Records.)  This  ceme- 
tery is  at  Mason  Centre.  There  was  a  more  ancient  one 
in  the  east  part  of  the  town,  and  as  Thomas  Tarbell, 
who  lived  near  it,  and  in  1773  gave  the  land  for  it,  was 
paid  for  digging  her  grave,  it  is  probable  she  was  buried 
there,  althougli  two  unrecognized  graves  were  to  be  seen 
in  tlie  Dunster  group.  Her  unknown  grave  remained 
for  almost  ninety  j^ears,  wdien  a  j^lain  stone  was  set  up  at 
Mason  Centre,  inscribed: 

"Ruth  Dunster,  wndow  of  Joseph   Blood,  (killed  at 
19 


208         HEXRT   DUNSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

21 

Bunker  Hill,)  born  in  Cambridge,  Aug.  21,  1750,  N.  S., 
died  at  Mason,   1787,  aged  37.     Ex  dono  S.  Dunster, 

1873." 

A  Bible  is  among  the  Dunster  papers,  in  which  is 
written:  "Joseph  Blood,  Jnnr., — His  Bibel,  the  Price 
0 — 4 — 0 — Shillings  Lawful)  money — and  it  was  Given 
Him  by — His  Honored  Father — August  y*=  20th,  A.  D. 
1767."  And  on  another  leaf  is  written,  but  in  a  different 
hand,  both  being  bold  and  plain,  and  in  ink  that  more 
than  a  century  has  not  faded:  "Joseph  Blood — His 
Book  God  give — him  grace  therein — to  look  that  he — 
may  Kun  that — Blessed  Eace  that — Heaven  may  be — 
His  Dwelling  place. 

August  f  28th,  1767." 

"Was  the  former  written  by  his  father's  minister  in 
Groton,  and  the  latter  after  he  received  the  gift  in 
Mason? 

The  children  of  Joseph  and  Ruth^  (Dunster)  Blood 
were : 

1.  Joseph^  Blood,  {Joseph  and  Rutli^  Dunster, 
Jason,*'  Henry, ^  Jona.,"^  Henry, ^)  born  in  Mason,  June 
17,  1769.  He  was  placed  under  the  guardianship  of  his 
grandfather,  Jan.  8,  1787,  being  then  about  eighteen 
years  old.  He  married  Sally  Priest,  of  I^ew  Ipswich,  N. 
H.    They  had  four  children,  all  born  in  Townsend,  Mass. 

1.  Ruthy'  Blood,  born  Jan.  12,  1798,  married  Ben- 
jamin Smith,  of  Townsend,  and  died  there.  They  had 
no  children. 

ii.  Joseph^  Blood,  born  Feb.  17,  1800,  married 
Sept.  24,  1825  or  6,  Emma  Martin,  of  Mason,  N.  H. 
She  was  the  niece  of  Samuel  C.  Duuster's  wives,  and 
daughter  of  George  and  Zilpha  (Townsend)  Martin.  He 
died  about  seven  months  afterwards.  He  was  sick  when 
he  married.     No  children. 

iii.  Walter''  Blood,  born  Jan.  10,  1803,  married 
Lucy  Wadsworth,  of  Brookline,  N.  H.  She  was  a  niece 
of  Eev.  Mr.  Wadsworth.  She  died,  leaving  no  children. 
He  married  second,  Hannah  Wadsworth,  sister  of  his 
first  wife.     "She  went  off  and  left  him,"  said  our  in- 


THE    BLOOD    FAMILY.  209 

formant.  Iliid  no  children.  Married  tliird,  Eliza  Wyn, 
of  Townsend.  No  children.  "She  now  (1873)  lives  in 
the  same  house  with  him." 

iv.  Isaiah^  Blood,  born  May  17,  1805,  married  Ee- 
becca  Jenkins,  April  4.  1831.  She  was  born  June  14, 
1806.  He  died  at  West  Townsend,  Jan.  20,  1847.  His 
widow  is  now  Mrs.  Conant.  Her  second  husband  is  dead. 
She  lives  at  West  Townsend.     Had  seven  children: 

1.  Joseph"  Palmer  Blood,  {Isaiah,''  Joseph,^  Buf¥ 
Dunster,)  was  born  in  Townsend,  July  23,  1832.  He 
married  Oct.  2(J,  1857,  Emeline  0.  Blood,  born'1836,  the 
daughter  of  Calvin  and  (India)  Blood,  of  Mason.  He 
has  been  the  Superintendent  of  the  Town  Farm  in 
Townsend  for  a  long  time.  Three  children,  all  born 
in  Mason: 

(i)  Fraxk^  Palmer  Blood,  born  Sept.  27,  1858, 
died  same  day. 

(ii)  Elva^  Eugenia  Blood,  born  March  6,  1860, 
died  Jan.  24,  1864. 

(iii)  Lida'  Mabelle  Blood,  born  Jan.  9,  1866. 

2.  Sarah  «  F.  Blood,  born  July  24,  1835,  in  Town- 
send,  married  William  Amesden,  of  Mason,  by  whom 
she  had: 

(i)  Mart'  Jane  Amesden,  born  June  30,  1850. 
She  married  Frederick  Fay,  of  Westboro,  Mass.  They 
have  one  child — 10th  generation — if  record  be  correct. 

(ii)    An  infant.' 

3.  Charles^  L.  Blood,  born  Aug.  9,  1836,  married 
Betsey  Green  (?).  Her  maiden  name  was  Elizabeth 
Shattuck.  They  have  three  children — births,  names 
and  residence  not  known. 

4.  Daniel*  A.  Blood,  born  March  8  or  18,  1838, 
died  April  4,  1838. 

5.  Harriet®  A.  Blood,  born  Sept.  10,  1840,  mar- 
ried first,  Andrew  J.  Fuller,  by  whom  she  had  one  child, 
who  died  in  infancy.  She  married  second,  Luther  A. 
Blood,  and  by  him  had: 

(i)  Lilleian'  a.  Blood,  (ii)  Eader'  M,  Blood. 
(iii)     Iner'  B.  Blood.     Age  and  residence  not  known. 


210         HENRY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

21 

6.  Mary^  E.  Blood,  bom  Oct.  1842,  married  May 
14,  1857,  Charles  0.  Calester.     Two  children: 

(i)     EsTELLA^  M.  Calester,  born  July  8,  1860. 
(ii)    Charles^  E.   Calester,   born  Dec.   13,   1861, 
died  June  13,  1862. 

''Charles  0.  Calester,  husband  of  Mary^  E.  Blood, 
enlisted  a  private  in  the  Second  N.  H.  Regt.  Volunteers; 
was  at  the  first  battle  of  Bull  Run,  and  in  every  battle 
except  one  in  which  that  regiment  was  engaged  (thir- 
teen, I  think),  until  they  had  the  second  Bull  Run  fight, 
in  which  he  was  killed,  Aug.  29,  1862. 

"  P.  S.  Charles  0.  Calester  lies  in  Southern  soil. 
After  being  wounded,  he  lay  three  days  before  being 
taken  up  or  cared  for  in  the  least,  but  died  soon  after 
being  taken  up."     [Joseph  P.  Blood's  Letter.) 

She,  Mary^  E.  (Blood)  Calester,  married  second,  Oct. 
10,  1863,  W.  W.  Greenwood. 

7.  Olive®  A.  Blood,  born  Jan.  18,  1846,  died  Feb. 
18,  1855,  aged  9  years  and  1  month. 

2.  Sylvanus®  Blood,  the  second  child  of  Joseph 
and  Ruth^  (Dunster)  Blood,  was  born  May  8,  1771.  He 
was  put  under  the  guardianship  of  Jason  Dunster,  his 
grandfather,  at  the  same  time  his  brother  Joseph  was. 
"When  about  twenty  years  old  he,  with  his  brothers,  Jo- 
seph and  William  Cutter,  sold  by  the  consent  of  their 
guardians,  the  farm  belonging  to  them  as  the  heirs  of 
Joseph  Blood.  It  was  bought  by  Jason ^  Dunster,  Jr., 
and  is  described  as  Lot  No.  4,  in  the  5th  Range. '  The 
deed,  now  in  our  possession,  is  dated  April  1,  1791,  and 
is  signed  by  Joseph  Blood,  whose  signature  (a  very  plain 
and  good  one)  was  witnessed  by  Robert  Taylor  and 
"  Abijh  "  Tarbell.  Signed  also  by  Sylvanus  Blood,  whose 
witnesses  were  Thomas  Clarke  and  William  Wood.  Syl- 
vanus Blood's  signature  is  in  very  large  and  crooked  let- 
ters, and  occupies  a  space  two  and  a  half  inches  long  by 
one  and  a  half  wide,  being  in  two  lines.  It  is  also  signed 
by  William  Cutter  Blood,  whose  witnesses  were  Jotham 
Webber  (his  guardian)  and  Elizabeth  Webber  (Jotham's 
wife).     After  this  transaction  we  have  no  knowledge  of 


THE    BLOOD    FAMILY.  211 

21 

Sylvanus.  It  is  noticeable,  however,  that  liis  acknowl- 
edgement of  tlie  deed  was  in  Suffolk,  ss.  Mass.,  May  14, 
1792,  and  before  Thomas  Clarke,  Justice  Peace.  There 
is  a  tradition  that  he  married,  lived  in  Cambridge,  and 
had  at  least  one  child,  named  Samuel  Dunster  Blood. 

3.  William ®  Cutter  Blood,  {Eittli ^  Dunster,  Jason*- 
He)iry,^  Jona.,^  Henry,^)  was  born  March  22,  1773,  in 
IMason,  and  named  for  his  grandmother's  brother,  Wil- 
liam Cutter,  whose  epitaph  is: 

"  Come  Come,  you  children,  near  &  view  this  Stone 
For  in  the  Grave  God  Saith  you  Must  Ij'  Down. 
You  tliat  do  Fear  ye  Lord  &  honor  Parents  too 
Christ  from  liis  Throne  will  surely  Welcome  You 
xVnd  after  Death  assuredly  you  Will 
In  Heavenly  Mensions  Praise  your  Maker  Stil." 

He  was  put  under  the  guardianship  of  Jotham  Web- 
ber, who  was  deacon  of  the  First  Baptist  Church  in 
Mason.  He  married  March  11,  1800,  Sally  Townsend, 
the  sister  of  his  Uncle  SamiteP  Dunster's  two  wives. 
She  was  the  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Hannah  (Law- 
rence) Townsend,  born  Sept.  1,  1777,  and  heir  to  that 
•'great  estate  (?)  in  England,  belonging  to  the  Law- 
rences!" He  removed  to  Eumney,  N.  H.,  where  they 
had  four  children.  About  1820  they  removed  to  Derby, 
Vermont,  where  they  both  died  "the  same  winter,  very 
near  each  other,"  about  1867.  He  is  understood  to 
have  been  a  farmer.  In  the  deed  referred  to  he  is  called 
a  laborer.  At  Derby  they  had  six  or  seven  more  chil- 
dren. For  the  most  of  the  tradition  of  them  we  are  in- 
debted to  Mrs.  Lizzie^  E.  Bixby,  of  West  Danville,  Vt. 
She  was  grand-daughter  of  William  Cutter  and  Sally 
(Sarah)  (Townsend)  Blood. 

Mrs.  Bixby  thinks  that  William  C.  Blood  died  in 
Derby  about  1858,  and  his  wife  about  1860.  Four 
children: 

i.  Polly'  Blood,  born  in  Eumney,  mar.  Hezekiah 
Ingerson,  and  had  four  sons  and  two  daughters.  The 
parents  are  both  dead,  and  were  buried  in  Derby. 

ii.  Samuel^  Dunster  Blood,  born  at  Eumney,  mar- 
ried   ,  and  died  about   1864-,  in  Kentucky,  says  his 

*19 


212         HENRY    DUNSTER  AND    HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

21 

Aunt  Dunster, — ''I  think,"  says  Mrs.  B.,  "in  Michi- 
giin," — leaving  a  wife  and  one  child — a  daughter.  His 
Aunt  D.  says:  "They  were  in  Cambridge  the  last  I 
lieard  from  them.  He  lived  in  South  Boston,  and 
owned  an  honrly  coach."  The  writer  has  tried  to  find 
this  widow  and  daughter  of  Samuel  Dunster  Blood,  but" 
without  success,  and  only  conjectures  that  he  left  Ver- 
mont, came  to  Boston,  was  married,  perhaps  in  Cam- 
bridge, was  engaged  in  stageing,  left  that  business,  went 
West  and  died. 

Mrs.  Bixby  adds  that  "  S.  D.  Blood  married  Lydia 
Washburn  for  his  first  wife,  and  Mary  Ann  G-rey  for  his 
second,  by  whom  he  had  two  children.  The  son  died  in 
infancy,  the  daughter  still  living,  so  far  as  I  know.  She 
married  G.  W.  Park." 

iii.  Hannah'  Blood,  born  in  Rumney,  married  Wil- 
liam Mansur.  She  died  Sept.,  1871;  buried  in  Morgan, 
Vt.  They  had  seven  children — three  sons  and  four  daugh- 
ters.    Husband  and  three  daughters  still  living,  1874. 

iv.    Eliza'  Y.  Blood,  born  in  Eumney, ,  1807, 

married  Courtland  Bovee,  in  1825;  both  died  about  same 
time.  Tliey  had  ten  children — five  soiis  and  five  daugh- 
ters— "of  whom,"  says  Lizzie  E.  Bixby,  "your  humble 
servant  is  one;"  thus  leaving  us  entirely  at  a  loss  for  the 
further  history  of  her  mother's  family. 

V.  Harriet'  Blood,  born  in  Derby,  Vt.,  died  when 
l(i  or  17  years  of  age,  buried  in  Derby. 

vi.  William'  Cutter  Blood,  born  in  Derby,  Vt., 
"  married  Sarah  Cutter  for  his  first  wife,  by  whom  he 
had  one  son;  Lucy  Harvey  for  his  second  wife,  and  Lu- 
cinda  Courrier  for  his  third  wife;  all  dead.  No  children 
by  any  but  first?     {L.  R.  B.) 

In  answer  to  a  letter,  John  C.  Clough,  Esq.,  of  En- 
field, N.  H.,  wrote:  "  There  was  a  man  by  the  name  of 
William  C.  Blood  that  lived  in  the  village  here,  near  me, 
who  died  the  24th  day  of  June,  1862,  aged,  I  should 
think,  45  or  50  years.  He  was  a  traveling  physician, 
and  done  quite  an  extensive  business  in  this  State  and 
A^ermont.     I  was  administrator  and  settled  his  accounts. 


THE    BLOOD    FAMILY.  213 

21 

His  first  wife  I  don't  know  anything  about, 

I  have  understood  that  he  lived  some  twelve  years  or 
more  after  her  death  before  he  was  married  again.  His 
second  wife  was  Lucinda  W.  Courrier,  a  resident  of  this 
town.  They  were  married  in  the  fall  of  1800.  After 
the  death  of  his  first  wife,  he  had  no  particular  resi- 
dence, bat  made  his  stopping  place  at  Wells  Eiver,  Vt. 
At  the  time  of  his  death  he  had  no  children,  and  I  don't 

know  as  he  ever  had  any. 

''After  the  Doctor  married  his  second  wife,  he  and  his 
family  went  to  Wells  Eiver  and  lived  until  two  months 
of  his  death,  when  they  returned  to  this  place  (Enfield, 
N.  H.),  and  moved  into  a  house  that  belonged  to  his 
wife.  About  five  days  before  his  death  he  told  his  wife 
that  he  was  going  to  Chelsa,  Vt.,  to  attend  a  court, 
where  he  had  some  business  to  settle.  He  went 
there,  settled  his  business,  started  and  went  to  Brown- 
ington,  in  the  northern  part  of  the  State  of  Vermont, 
about  100  miles  from  here,  tied  his  team  at  the  side  of 
the  road,  and  went  into  a  clump  of  bushes  three  or  four 
rods,  and  there  committed  suicide." 

James*  Kimball,  who  lived  at  Enfield  at  the  time, 
says  that  Dr.  Blood  killed  himself  by  an  incision  made 
with  a  penknife  into  the  Jugular  vein. 

Dr.  Blood  was  buried  at  Enfield,  N".  H. 

His  aunt  Avrote  that  "he  first  practiced  'Tomsonan,^ 
and  had  very  good  success,  but  afterwards  'homepatha.^ 
Why  he  should  commit  that  deed  none  ever  knew." 

vii.  Lucy  ''  Blood,  born  at  Derby,  married  Nathaniel 
Kuggles.  They  are  both  dead.  She  lived  a  widow  some 
years,  and  left  three  daughters.    She  w^as  buried  at  Derby. 

viii.  Edward''  Blood,  born  at  Derby,  married  Sarah 
Leland;  dead;  buried  at  HoUistou,  Mass.  They  never 
had  any  children. 

ix.  Caroline'  Celestia  Blood,  the  youngest  child 
of  William  C.  and  Sally  (Tow^nsend)  Blood,  was  born  in 
Derby,  Vt.,  and  at  an  early  age  "left  home  to  live  witli 
an  older  brother."  [Was  it  Samuel ^  Dunster  Blood?] 
She  married  0.  W.  Merriam.     We  have  an  impression 


214        HENRY    DUNSTER    AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

21 

that  he  was  a  furniture  dealer,  near  Boston,  and  accnniu- 
lated  a  good  property.  They  removed  to  San  Francisco, 
Cat.,  where  she  certainly  resided  in  May,  1874.  They 
have,  it  is  understood,  one  daughter,  who  is  married, 
and  lives  in  San  Francisco.  Mrs,  M.  can  give  no  records 
of  her  father's  family.  She  is  evidently  in  easy,  and,' 
probably,  in  wealthy  circumstances.  Like  all  ladies,  she 
ends  her  letter  with  a  P.  S. :  "  If  you  should  tind  it 
convenient  to  visit  this  lovely  State,  I  should  be  happy 
to  see  you  at  my  house,  HOG  Bush  street." 

X.  There  was  another  child,  named  Betsey,  who  died 
in  infancy. 

4.  The  fourth  child  of  Joseph  and  Euth*  Dunster 
Blood  was  born  Jan.  8,  1775.  She  is  named  Ruth. 
We  have  no  further  authentic  knowledge  of  her.  There 
is  a  tradition  that  she  married — when  and  whom  is  not 
known — and  that  she  died,  but  had  no  children.  There 
are  families  who  claim  descent  from  the  daughter  of 
Ruth  (Dunster)  Blood,  but  they  say  her  name  was 
Rachel.  There  is  no  mention  of  any  daughter  in  the 
settlement  of  the  estate.  There  is  one  fact  that  possibly 
may  have  something  to  do  in  this  matter. 

Jason*  Dunster  brought  up  a  child  by  the  name  of 
Rachel  Mason.  She  married  a  Withington.  {Book  of 
the  Loches.) 

If  she  was  the  traditional  Ruth,  and  her  name  became 
confounded  with  the  recorded  Ruth,  it  might  help  us. 
We  give  the  tradition  as  it  is  related  by  an  intelligent 
lady,  who  is  acquainted  with  some  of  the  later  offspring. 

She  says:  "Rachel's  mother  was  a  Dunster.  She 
was  brought  up,  however,  by  her  Grandmother  Dunster, 
and  inherited  the  family  loom.  (In  the  inventory  of 
Ruth^  Dunster  Blood's  estate,  is  "One  Loom  and  warp- 
ing bars,  18  shillings.")  She  married  Jonathan  Blood,  of 
Pepperell,  a  very  intemperate  mau,  and  his  sons  follow- 
ed in  his  footsteps.  They  lived  in  Sharon,  N.  H.  They, 
Jonathan  and  Rachel,®  had  six  children — two  boys  and 
four  girls:  (i)  Nahum.^  (ii)  Josiah.'  Josiah  never 
married,  and  is  dead.  Nahum  married  a  widow  woman, 
from  Pepperell.     They  had  one  son,  who  is  still  living." 


THE   BLOOD    FAMILY.  215 

21 

Another  tradition,  related  by  an  old  lady,  says  that 
the  boys  were  Xahum  and  Cyrus,  (hy  nicknames  then  in 
common  use,  easily  confounded  with  Josiali — 6'y-rus, 
Jo-si-ah,)  and  that  neither  of  them  ever  married.  The 
daughters  were: 

iii.  Rebecah.'  She  was  born  April  1.  1803,  and 
married  April  20,  1826,  Jonathan  Russell,  of  Mason. 
They  had:  (1)  One  boy/  name  and  birth  unknown,, 
and  three  girls: 

(2)  Rachel,^  married,  and  lives  in  New  Ipswich,  and 
has  one  or  two  children. 

(3)  Rebecca/  died  in  the  poor  house. 

(4)  Joanna,*  was  an  intelligent  and  worthy  member 
of  Mason  Village  (Orthodox)  Church  in  1853,  and  is  be- 
lieved to  have  married  very  respectably,  and  lives  iii 
Manchester,  X.   H. 

iv.  Rachel'  Blood,  married  Moses  Merriam,  son  of 
Ezra  Merriam,  of  Mason.  They  had  no  children.  Are 
both  living  in  West  Boylston. 

V.  Roxanna"  Blood,  married  July,  1832,  Sargent 
Bohauon,  of  Peterboro,  N.  H.  She  died  Jan.  24,  1870, 
aged  59  years,  6  months  and  20  days.     One  child: 

1.  Mary®  Elizabeth  Bohanon.  She  mar.  Giles 
T.  Larkin,  of  Hancock,  N.  H.  She  died  July  24,  1864. 
One  child,  dead. 

vi.  Olive'  Blood,  the  sixth  child  of  Jonathan  and 
Rachel,  was  born  at  Sharon,  N.  H.,  Dec,  25,  1823.  She 
married  Simon  H.  Ralf,  or  Rolf,  born  in  Jaffrey,  March 
30,  1820.  She  died  at  Jaffrey,  N.  H.,  March  4,  1869. 
They  had  four  children: 

1.  John®  S.  Ralf,  born  at  New  Ipswich,  N.  H., 
Jan.  28,  1840.  "He  enlisted  in  Co.  H,  Second  Regt. 
X.  H.  Vols.,  and  was  killed  at  the  second  battle  of  Bull 
Run,  and  buried  on  the  battle  field.  This  was  the  first 
battle  in  which  he  was  engaged." 

2.  "William®  H.   Ralf,   born  at  Sharon,  Jan.   16, 

1842,  married  , .     His  wife  is  dead.     They  had 

four  children. 


216         HENRY    DUNSTEK   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

21-22 

3.  Sarah'  E.  Rale,  born  at  Jaffrey,  March  6,  1845, 
died  Aug.  25,  1852. 

4,  Angeline'  Josephine  Ealf,  born  at  Jaffrey, 
Dec.  31,  1853,  married  Jan.  9,  1873,  Edward  Felt,  of 
Peterboro,  N.  H.,  born  Nov.  27,  1847.  They  had  a  son, 
Elmer  ^  Morrison  Felt,  who  died  an  infant.  No 
other  children. 

22.  iii.  B.'E^KY^  Dn-^^T-ER,  {Jason,*  Henry, ^  Jona."^ 
Henry, ^)  the  third  child  of  Jason ^  and  Rebecca  (Cutter) 
Dunster,  was  born  in  Cambridge  (Menotomy),  Aug.  4, 
baptized  by  Rev.  Samuel  Cooke,  Aug.  11,  "^1754.  "  He 
came  to  Mason  with  his  father's  family  in  1769,  being 
then  14  years  old.  -No  farther  record  of  him  is  found 
till  1774,  when  he  Avas  taxed  for  the  first  time,  being 
then  only  20  years  old.  With  the  exception  of  1776,  he 
was  taxed  every  year  till  1780,  in  which  year  he  was 
taxed  as  a  non-resident.  This  year  his  "  Beef  rate  "  was 
£3  10s.  lOd.  2qrs.,  while  his  father's  was  £131  and  over. 
He  is  named  in  the  History  of  Mason  as  having  done 
service  in  the  Revolutionary  war — probably  in  1776, 
when  he  was  not  taxed.  He  could  not  have  been  the 
son  of  Jason  Dunster  for  whose  "hire"  Joseph  Herrick 
was  paid  for  the  rye,  for  at  that  time  he  was  27  years 
old,  and  his  father  would  hardly  have  claimed  his  "  hire" 
at  that  age.  It  is  almost  certain  that  he  went  from  Ma- 
son and  lived  with  a  Mr.  Sharp  in.  Brookline,  Mass., 
whose  daughter  Sally  he  afterwards  married,  and  by  her 
he  had  twins.  These  were  their  only  cliildren.  No  fur- 
ther knowledge  is  had  of  him  till  his  death  in  1794,  in 
or  near  Boston,  probably  in  Brookline. 

Henry®  Dunster,  )  the  twins,  were  born  in  Brook- 
Sally"  Dunster,    f  line,  March  25,  1782. 

Their  mother,  Sally  (Sharp)  Dunster,  appears  to  have 
died  soon  after  their  birth. 

Abiel  Wright, whose  genealogy  will  be  found  in  Martha* 
(Dunster)  Wright's,  says  in  a  letter  (1854):  "Henry 
Dunster  had  two  children — a  son  and  a  daughter — twins. 
I'he  son's  name  was  Henry,  the  girl's  name,  Sally.  Their 
parents  died  when  they  were  quite  young.     They  died  in 


HENRY"    DUNSTER.  217 

22 

Brookline,  or  Koxburv,  Mass.  Heniy  was  brought  up 
by  Stei)hen  Sharj),  Esq.,  of  Brookline.  My  mother 
brought  up  the  girl.  Henry,  when  he  became  of  age, 
went  into  Boston  and  drove  a  team,  and  from  that  went 
to  work  in  a  distillery.  He  was  married  and  had  some 
children,  and  died  near  forty  years  since." 

Polly  (M.)  Dnnster,  his  aunt,  said  Henry  was  brought 
up  by  his  "grandfather."  A  daughter  of  this  twin, 
Henry,  said  he  was  brought  up  by  his  Grandfather  Dnn- 
ster. We  think  she  was  mistaken  as  to  wliiclt  grand- 
father brought  him  up.  It  is  almost  positive  that  his 
Grandfather  Dunstcr  did  not.  If  we  substitute  "Sharp " 
for  "Dunster"  it  confirms  all  the  traditions,  and  proves 
that  Henry  ^  Dunster  married  Sally  Sharp,  which  we 
thought  questionable  in  Life  H.  D.,  page  243.  Abiel 
Wright  was  only  8  years  younger  than  Henry  and  Sally 
Dunster.  She  was  an  adopted  sister,  lived  and  died  at 
his  father's. 

Sally®  Dunster,  twin  to  Henry,  born  March  25, 
1?82,  was  brought  up  by  her  Aunt  Martha^  (Dunster) 
Wright,  and  died  of  consumption,  at  the  age  of  26,  April 
22,  1808,  unmarried,  was  buried  at  Xelson,  N.  H.,  then 
Packersfield.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Congregation- 
alist  Church  (Orthodox),  and  an  exemplary  woman. 

Henry*  Dunster,  the  other  twin,  married  Ehoda 
Jackson,  of  Bridgewater,  Mass.,  and  died  July  9,  1818, 
not  in  1813,  as  in  Life  H.  D.,  page  243.  They  had  six 
children,  all  born  in  Boston: 

1.  Sarah'  Dunster,  {Henry,^  Henry, ^  Jason, ^  Hen- 
ry,^ Jona.,'^  Henry, ^)  was  born  Dec.  28,  1808.  She  mar- 
ried July  28,  1833,  Joseph  Ferrin,  born  Aug.  10,  1808. 
He  died  in  California,  Aug.  20,  1850,  aged  42  years  and 
10  days.     They  had  four  children: 

1.  Joseph^  William  Ferrin,  born ,  1834,  died 

Oct.  13,  1834,  an  infant. 

2.  Sarah  ^  Jane  Feerin,  born  March  19,  1835, 
married  Aug.  20,  1854,  William  0.  Sumner;  living  at 
34th  street,  8th  Avenue,  Xew  York.     They  had: 

(i)  Sarah ^  Jane  Sumner,  born  Oct.  12,  1859,  died 
Sept.  1,  1860. 


218         HENRY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

22 

(ii)  Jenny"  Isadore  Sumner,  born  Jan.  20,  1862, 
died  August  same  year. 

3.  Charles^  Ferrin,  born  Sept.  13,  1840,  died 
"in  the  war,"  in  1865,  aged  24  years,  8  months.     Unm. 

4.  Susan®  Ann  Ferrin,  born  June  15,  1842,  died 
Oct.  12,  1842. 

ii.  Henry'  Jackson  Dunster,  was  born  Sept.  24, 
1810.  "  In  cliildliood  he  had  a  fall  and  injured  his  hip, 
which  disabled  him  for  seven  years.  In  1828  he  went 
to  Gr.  &  J.  Lorings,  Boston,  to  learn  the  printers'  trade." 
In  a  note  to  History  of  Scituate,  he  is  referred  to  as  a 
pressman,  working  on  that  book.  He  married'May  6, 
1834,  Mary  B.  Savery,  of  Plymouth,  Mass.  She  liVed 
at  the  time  of  his  marriage  in  the  next  house  to  his 
mother's,  in  South  street,  Boston.  Being  out  of  health, 
he  went  to  Georgetown,  South  Carolina,  in  June,  1838, 
and  there  died,  July  7,  1839,  of  consumption?  His  wife 
never  went  South.  She  returned  to  her  father's,  in  Ply- 
mouth, where  she  is  now,  1871,  living  with  her  fourth 
liusband.  Nothing  further  was  known  of  this  family, 
and  it  was  fully  believed  that  this  branch  became  ex- 
tinct, as  it  was  understood  he  left  no  children.  In  1871, 
a  paragraph  appeared  in  the  newspapers  stating  that 
Henry  Dunster,  of  Duxbury,  had  been  injured  by  the 
caving  in  of  his  well.  This  gave  a  clue  to  further 
knowledge  of  the  family,  which  will  be  found  in  Henry  ^ 
Jackson  Dunster. 

iii.  William'  Dunster,  born  April  22,  1812,  Avas  a 
sailor.  He  was  taken  sick  in  Liverpool,  attemjited  a 
voyage  home,  but  died  on  the  2:)assage,  and  was  buried  at 
sea,  when  about  18  years  old. 

iv.     "Little  KhodaV'  born  ,  1813,  lived  only 

about  two  hours. 

V.  Jane'  Ly^dia  Damon  Dunster,  was  born  Jan. 
22,  1815.  She  lived  with  her  mother  in  South  street, 
Boston,  until  she  married,  July  13,  1834,  Charles  John- 
ston, who  built  the  house  where  she  noAv  lives.  No.  763 
Broadway,  South  Boston.  Mr.  Johnston,  died  Aug.  17, 
1864.     Seven  children: 


THE   JOHNSTON    FAMILY.  219 

22 

1.  Emma®  Jane  Johnston,  born  May  7,  1835,  died 
March  16,  1836. 

2.  Emma®  Jane  Johnston,  born  Sept.  26,  1836, 
married  John  H.  Locke,  a  bookkeeper,  and  has  four 
clnklren,  all  living  in  Boston: 

(i)     Emma'  Jane  Locke,  born  July  30,  1860. 
(ii)    Minnie'  Louisa  Locke,  born  Dec.  3,  1861. 
(iii)  Addie'  Wilman  Locke,  born  June  28,  1864. 
(iv)  Gertrude'  Lillian  Locke,  born  Jan.  29,  1869. 

3.  Charles®  Henry  Johnston,  the  third  child  of 
Jane"  L.  D.  (D.)  Johnston,  born  Feb.  12,  1838,  died 
Dec.  16-,  1839. 

4.  Adaline®  Adelia  Johnston,  born  May  1,  1840, 
is  a  teacher  or  bookkeeper,  in  Boston,  not  married. 

5.  Sarah®  Elizabeth  Johnston,  born  Nov.  4. 
1842,  married  June  15,  1871,  Benjamin  M.  Campbell,  a 
clerk  in  Boston.     Have  two  children: 

*"(i)     Charles'  Benjamin  Campbell,  born  Aug.  13, 
1872,  died  June  5,  1873. 
(ii)    Emma'  Florence  Campbell,  born  June  18, 1874. 

6.  Charles®  William  Johnston,  born  Oct.  13, 
1844,  is  a  seaman  by  occupation. 

7.  Henry®  Dunster  Johnston,  born  March  7, 
1847,  was  drowned  in  South  Boston  Bay,  while  bathing, 
Aug.  30,  1860. 

vi.  Ephraim'  Jackson  Dunster,  born  May  22, 
1817,  died  Sept.  9,  1818. 

In  April,  1871,  Henry®  Jackson  Dunster,  who  had 
been  "buried  in  his  well,*'  had  so  far  recovered  as  to  be 
able  to  visit.  By  an  express  invitation  he  called  on  us,  and 
we  accompanied  him  to  Boston  to  see  his  Aunt-Johnston, 
Avho,  he  said,  knew  more  of  the  family  than  any  one 
else.  We  were  not  introduced  by  name,  which  was 
rather  pleasing,  as  it  gave  us  opportunity  to  pass  incog- 
nito. After  talking  awhile,  we  told  the  object  of  our 
visit.  She  remarked  that  her  nephew  and  his  boy  were 
the  only  "  Duusters  "  living;  and  further  said  that,  some 
20 


220         HENRY    DUNSTER  AND   HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

22 

thirty-five  ^years  ago,  there  Avas  a  Dunster  who  called  on 
her  mother's  family  and  said  he  was  their  relation.  He 
promised  to  call  again;  said  lie  was  a  calico  printer,  and 
lived  away  down  East,  somewhere;  but  as  he  had  ncA^er 
called,  she  presumed  he  was  dead,  and  they  were  the 
only  descendants  of  President  Dunster.  We  replied, 
much  to  lier  surprise,  that  we  now  had  the  pleasure  of 
making  the  promised  call,  although  somewhat  delayed. 
She  was  very  communicative,  and,  with  wonderful  mem- 
mory,  told  off-hand  and  without  hesitation,  or  record, 
the  particulars  of  the  descendants  of  Henry®  Dunster, 
which  we  have  tabulated  above.  She  added  to  what  is 
related  of  Henry,  the  twin,  her  father: 

"  On  the  very  day  that  Sarah,  his  twin-sister,  died, 
(April  22,  1808,)  he  was  brought  home  sick,  and  al- 
though he  lived  near  ten  years  afterwards,  he  was  sick 
all  the  time  so  as  not  to  be  able  to  work,  and  died  of 
consumption,  on  the  9th  day  of  July,  1818,  and  was 
buried  in  the  cemetery  on  Eoxbury  Neck,  now  nearly  all 
dug  aivay.^'  Enlightened  nations  and  Christian  com- 
munities, only,  disturb  the  ashes  of  the  dead. 

The  Boston  Directory,  1807,  has  Henry  Dunster,  la- 
borer, Elliot  street;  Rhoda  Dunster,  1818,  South  street 
Court;  Ehoda  Dunster,  washer,  1820,  Hoskins'  wharf  ; 
Rhoda  Dunster,  "widow,"  1821  to  1825,  same  place; 
182G  to  1834,  Rhoda  Dunster,  widow.  South  street  Place  ; 
1855,  Henry  J.  Dunster,  priiiter,  house  South  street 
Place,  and  Rhoda  at  Barry  wharf ;  1836,  Rhoda,  South 
street  Place;  also  Essex  Place. 

Henry''  J.  Dunster,  (the  printer,)  {Henry, ^  twin 
Henry, ^  Jason,^  Henry, ^  Jona.,'^  Henry, ^)  married  Mary 
B.  Savery,  of  Plymouth,  and  we  cannot  improve  her  his- 
tory of  their  children:  ''My  husband  was  born  in  Bos- 
ton, Sept.  24,  1810.  We  were  united  in  marriage,  in 
Boston,  by  Rev.  Mr.  Streeter,  March  6,  1834.  My  first 
child  was  born  in  Charlestown,  Oct.  7,  1834,  named 
(i)  Henry ^  Jackson  Dunster,  died  Jan.  1,  1835. 
The  second  was  also  a  boy,  which  we  called  (ii)  An- 
drew® Jackson  Dunster,  born  in  Boston,  Nov.  ,30, 
1836.     The  next  was  another  boy,  whom  we  named  after 


HENRY®   JACKSON    DUNSTER.  221 

22 

his  father,  (iii)  Henry®  Jackson  Dunster,  born  in 
Plymouth,  Aug.  18,  1838,  died  in  the  same  town,  Sept. 
5,  1839.  Mr.  Dunster  (her  husband)  was  in  George- 
town, Sou  til  Carolina,  where  he  died,  July  7,  1839,  of 
yellow  fever.  After  burying  my  husband  and  infant, 
wishing  still  to  preserve  the  name  (Henry),  I  changed 
my  only  remaining  child's  name,  (ii)  Andrew®  Jackson 
Dunster  to  Henry  ®  Jackson  Dunster.  The  only  liv- 
ing representative  that  we  know  of  in  the  male  line, 
directly  or  indirectly. 

"My  native  place  was  Plymouth;  name,  Mary  B. 
Savery;  born  Aug.  23, 1813.  My  husband  never  professed 
religion,  but  we  always  attended  the  Methodist  Church 
together.  I  remember  perfectly  well  the  day,  now  that 
you  have  brought  it  to  mind,  in  which  you  called  at  his 
office,  although  it  had  passed  entirely  from  my  mind. 

Mary  B.  Sampson, 

East  Marshfield,  Mass." 

Henry®  Jackson  Dunster,  {Henry,^ Henry, ^ Henry, ^ 

Jason,^  Henry,^  Jona.,"^  Henry^)  was  born  in  Boston, 
Xov.  30, 1836,  (J/;>\  Sampson's  Letter,)  1835,  by  another 
account.  He  is  employed  in  the  fishing  business,  for 
Boston  market.  He  married  Jan.  1,  1857,  Mary  Anna 
Brewster,  a  descendant  of  "Elder  Brewster."  She  was 
born  August,  1837.  They  have  four  children,  all  born 
in  Duxbury,  Mass.,  all  living.     No  death  in  their  family. 

i.  Henry^  LoYD  Dunster,  [Hear y,^ Henry,'' Henry, ^ 
Henry, ^  Jason,*'  Henry, ^  Jona.,"^  Henry, ^)  was  born  Dec. 
24,  1857.  He  assists  his  father  at  times,  but  is  mainly 
employed  in  getting  an  education  fitted  for  entrance  into 
Harvard  College, — his  most  cherished  desire.  ^A'e  trust 
he  will  be  remembered  as  a  worthy  descendant  of  their 
first  President.  To  him  belongs  the  distinction  of  hav- 
ing more  Henry  Dunsters  for  ancestors  than  any  other 
person. 

ii.     Louisa^  Ann  Dunster,  born  March  28,  1861, 
living  at  home,  being  well  educated, 
iii.    Elizabeth^  Watson  Dunster,  b.  Xov.  30,  1864. 
iv.    Jane^  Johnston  Dunster,  born  Dec.  24,  1866. 


322        HENRY   DUNSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

22 

The  notice  before  referred  to  in  relation  to  Henry* 
Jackson  Dnnster  was:  "Mr.  Henry  Dnnster,  of  Dux- 
bury,  had  a  very  narrow  escape  from  death  on  Monday, 
IGth  Feb.,  1871,  by  the  caving  in  of  the  walls  of  a  well 
in  which  he  was  at  work.  He  was  not  rescued  from  his 
perilous  position  until  six  hours  after  the  alarm  was 
given.  At  first  he  could  be  distinctly  heard  beneath  the 
fallen  earth  and  rocks  with  which  he  was  covered  to  the 
depth  of  many  feet;  but  all  hopes  of  rescuing  him  alive 
had  vanished  many  hours  before  he  was  finally  taken  out. 
Perseverance  at  last  succeeded  in  reaching  him,  when  it 
was  found  that  he  was  still  alive.  Fair  hopes  are  enter- 
tained of  his  recovery.  Mr.  Dnnster  is  a  lineal  descend- 
ant of  the  first  President  of  Harvard  College." 

We  cannot  better  close  the  sketch  of  this  branch  of 

the  Dunster  family  than  by  an  article  we  find  in  the 

Christian  Era,  of  Boston,  Jan.  2,  1873.  We  know  not 
its  author. 

1654.    HENEY  DUNSTER  AND  HARVARD    1872. 
COLLEGE. 

How  good  and  how  jileasant  a  thing  it  would  be  if 
Harvard  College  could  gratefully  and  gracefully  atone 
for  the  martyrdom  of  the  excellent  and  learned  President 
Dunster  by  giving  to  his  lineal  descendant  the  benefits 
of  the  institution  to  whose  development  and  success  he 
brought  liis  intellectual  power  and  moral  influence  with 
such  efficient  devotion.  And  is  not  the  opportunity  for 
such  a  felicity,  of  itself,  an  obligation  to  improve  it? 
That  such  an  opportunity  does  exist,  appears  from  the 
following  incident  in  a  wayfarer's  note-book: 

"April  29,  1872.  Duxbury,  on  the  side  of  '  Captain's 
Hill.'  Off  in  Plymouth  Harbor — in  a  few  minutes  she 
will  be  out  of  sight  beyond  Clarke's  Island — scuds  a  tiny 
sailboat  before  tlie  morniug  breeze:  a  mere  speck  on  the 
blue  water.  Down  the  hill,  with  a  leap  over  the  stone 
wall,  comes  a  lad  of  fourteen  on  his  way  to  the  old  house 
at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  there  to  pass  the  summer  with  his 
Grandmother  Brewster.  His  name  is  Henry  Dunster,  a 
likely  boy,  and  he  says,    '  in  that  boat  are  my  father, 


REBECCA*    UUNSTER.  223 

23 

Henry  Dunster,  my  mother,  and  two  of  the  children. 
My  fatlier  is  going  to  the  Gurnett  for  the  summer  to 
take  lohsters  for  the  Boston  market.'  In  his  own  cot- 
tage by  the  water  side,  the  evening  before,  Dunstei  had 
told  me  of  his  lowly  life.  '  My  fatlior,'  said  he,  '  was  a 
printer  in  Lincoln  &  Edmond's  shop,  in  Boston.  He 
died  early,  leaving  me  an  orphan  boy,  two  years  old.' 
A  while  since,  his  own  self-control  and  calmness  in  ex- 
treme danger  saved  his  life.  Buried  beneath  the  falling 
walls  of  the  well  he  was  clearing,  he  coolly  directed  the 
movements  of  t>he  frightened  men  above,  and  to  his 
words  of  cheer  and  caution  the  bystanders  attributed  tiie 
care  which  saved  him  from  premature  burial.  They 
both,  father  and  son,  showed  the  aptitude  of  language 
and  calm  decision  amid  peril — the  story  of  whicli  is  so 
well  told  by  Dr.  Chaplin.  Now,  after,  two  centuries  of 
Punster's  rest  in  Old  Cambridge  grave  yard — two  cen- 
turies after  the  flagrant  Avrongs  which  drove  him  from 
the  College  and  the  colony — occurs  a  fitting  opportunity 
to  make  the  amende  honorahle  by  adojition  of  Henry 
Dunster,  Jr.,  of  Duxbury,  as  a  child  of  Harvard  Col- 
lege, thereby  to  give  him  the  education  of  which  he  is 
capable.  This  would  be  a  noble  tribute  to  the  public 
service  and  2)rivate  worth  of  President  Dunster. 

J.  W.  T." 

23.  iv.  Kebecca*  Dunster,  (Jc?,s•o«,^i7(??^/■^/,^/o;^f^^ 
Henry, ^)  born  June  18,  baptized  June  20,  1756,  was 
named  after  Rebecca,  her  sister,  who  had  died  when  ten 
months  old.  When  about  twelve  years  old,  her  father 
removed  to  Mason,  N.  H.  She  married  (date  not  found) 
John  Swallow,  3d,  born  Jan.  3,  1757,  the  oldest  son  of 
Lieut.  John,  2d,  and  Sarah  (Lawrence;  Swallow.  He 
was  the  oldest  son  of  John,  1st,  and  Deborah  (Lawrence) 
Swallow,  of  Groton,  Mass.  Of  "Lieut."  John  it  is  said 
{History  Mason),  while  residing  in  his  father's  family 
in  Dunstable,  he  commenced  clearing  up  his  farm  in 
Mason,  about  1751.  At  that  time  there  was  no  road 
from  Dungtable  to  No.  1  (Mason).  He  would  start  on 
Monday  morning  with  a  pack  load  of  jJi'ovisions  on  his 
back,  and  finding  his  way  by  marked  trees  to  his  clear- 
ing, would  fill  the  forest  echoes  with  lusty  blows  of  his 
*20 


224         HENKY    DUNSTER   AND   HIS    DESCENDANTS, 

23 

axe,  from  sun  to  sun,  till  his  stock  of  provisions  was 
exhausted;  and  then  starting  a  few  hours  before  sunset 
he  woukl  wend  his  solitary  way  through  the  forest  twen- 
ty-two miles  to  his  Dunstable  home  to  replenish  his 
stock,  and  after  a  brief  resting  would  again  renew  his 
journey  and  labors.  Thus  he  subdued  the  forest,  built 
his  log  cabin,  and  set  up  his  household.  In  this  log 
cabin,  a  house  of  one  small  room,  he  lived  till  after  tlie 
birth  of  his  eleventh  child,  1778,  when  he  removed  into 
a  new  two-story  frame  house,  in  which  lie  spent  the  re- 
maijider  of  his  days,  extended  to  the  good  old  age  of  86 
years.  He  never  knew  what  it  was  to  be  sick,  or  even 
tasted  of  anything  called  medicine,  until  past  his  75th 
year.  His  death  was  occasioned  by  a  fall  and  a  broken 
bone,  the  pain  of  which  wore  out  his  life,  Nov.  23,  1815. 

John  Swallow,  3d,  the  husband  of  Rebecca  Dunster, 
was  the  first  to  bless,  this  log  cabin  by  a  birth.  After 
him  followed  fourteen  more,  making  fifteen  in  all.  No 
wonder  that  that  "  house  of  one  small  room "  needed 
colonization.  After  the  marriage  of  John,  3d,  with  Ee- 
becca,  he  built  a  house  near  the  two-story  hoase  of  his 
father,  and  in  it  all  their  children  were  born;  but  they 
fell  short  in  numbers  full  fifty  per  cent.  The  husband 
was  a  hard-working  man  and  the  wife  was  a  similar  help- 
mate. He  was  remembered  by  some  of  the  little  boys  of 
his  wife's  brother,  whom  he  used  to  call  his  little  white 
headed  "sogers"  when,  in  Indian  file,  they  carried  the 
dinners  to  the  choppers  down  in  the  woods,  on  the  Sou- 
hegan  River,  by  the  spring  beyond  the  Elliot  Pasture. 
Time  and  the  Peterboro  and  Shirley  Railroad  have  taken 
all  the  romance  out  of  that  happy  locality. 

His  wife,  Rebecca  (Dunster)  Swallow,  died  Aug.  3, 
1811,  aged  56  years,  and  was  buried  at  Mason  Centre,  in 
the  large  Swallow  group.  She  was  admitted  a  member, 
in  full  communion,  of  Mason  Congregational  Church, 
Nov.  1,  1801. 

Her  husband,  in  his  old  age,  became  totally  dependent, 
and  was  long  maijitained  by  his  brother-in-law,  Josiah 
Winship.  Finding  that  Winshi])  intended  to  call  on  the 
town  to  take  care  of  him,  he  started  on  foot,  although 


THE    SWALLOW    FAMILY.  225 

23 

in  feeble  health,  uiid  walked  to  Ashburnham,  fourteen 
or  sixteen  miles,  to  Samuel  C.  Dunster's  (his  wife's 
brother),  and  died  there,  Jan.  — ,  1830,  aged  73  years. 
Ilis  remains  were  interred  at  Mason  Centre. 

They  had  seven  children,  all  born  in  Mason: 

i.  John®  Swallow,  born  March  1,  1783,  died  March 
13,  same  year. 

ii.  John®  Swallow,  {Rebecca^  D.,  Jason,*  Henry,^ 
Jona.,^  Henry ^)  born  Feb.  3,  1785,  married  Jan.  13, 
1811,  Sally  Wood,  the  daughter  of  Joseph  and  ]Mary 
(Waugh)  Wood,  who  was  born  April  19,  1790.  She  was 
a  member  of  Mason  Church.  They  lived- on  the  place 
with  his  father  until  the  death  of  his  wife.  He  was  em- 
ployed most  of  the  time  in  teaming  to  and  from  Boston. 
He  then  removed  to  Peterboro,  N.  H.,  farming  some  of 
the  time,  making  his  home  at  his  son's,  John^  Swallow 
(twin  to  Sarah).  He  died  at  Peterboro,  May  24,  1862, 
was  brought  to  Mason  Village  and  buried  beside  his  wife, 
who  died  in  that  village,  Oct.  7,  1852,  aged  6-4  years. 
They  had  ten  children: 

1.  Elmira'  Swallow,  born  Sept.  2,  1811,  in  Mason, 
married  May  7,  1835,  Ephraim  M.  Dudley,  son  of  Ebeit- 
ezer  Dudley,  born  May  23,  1808,  at  Roxbury,  Mass., 
where  they  are  now  living,  1876.  Fonr  children,  all 
born  at  "West  Roxbury: 

(i)  Ezra*  Swallow  Dudley,  born  Oct.  7,  1836, 
died  Jan.  26,  1863,  unmarried. 

(ii)  Elmira*  J.  Dudley,  born  Nov.  10,  1838, -died 
Jan.  16,  1839. 

(iii)  Ellen*  M.  Dudley,  born  Aug.  14,  1840. 

(iv)  Eugene*  B.  Dudley,  born  June  3,  1848. 

2.  Malinda'  Swallow,  b.  May  27,  1813,  in  Mason. 
married  Sept.  22,  1836,  Joseph  Pollard  Felt,  of  Temple, 
N.  H.,  his  second  wife.  She  was  a  member  of  Mason 
Village  Church.  She  died  Aug.  20,  1837,  aged  24  years. 
They  had  one  child,  who  died  about  the  same  time,  aged 
8  months. 

3.  Calvin^  Swallow,  {John,^  John  and  Rebecca^ 
D.,  Jason,*  Henry,^  Jona.y  Henry,'^)  the  third  child  of 


226         HENRY    DUNSTER   AND   HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

23 

John  and  Sally  (Wood)  Swallow,  born  at  Mason,  April 
19,  1817,-  lived  with  his  father  till  abont  twelve  years  old; 
afterwards  bought  his  time  of  his  father.  In  1835,  went 
into  the  West  India  goods  business  for  two  years.  In 
1837,  visited  most  of  the  Western  country.  He  bought 
at  Berwick,  Warren  Co.,  Ill,  a  section  of  land,  which  he 
still  owns.  After  about  a  year's  residence  there  he  re- 
turned to  Boston.  In  1841,  went  into  the  provision 
business,  which  he  continued  ten  years.  Being  out  of 
health,  he  retired  for  a  cou])le  of  years,  and  was  then  ap- 
pointed Inspector  of  Transportation  in  Bond  for  Canada, 
at  the  U.  S.  Custom  House  in  Boston.  This  office  he 
lield  during  the  administration  of  President  Pierce. 
From  1856  to  1863  he  was  engaged  in  building  houses, 
for  sale,  in  the  southern  part  of  Boston,  near  Chester 
Park.  About  1863  he  engaged  in  the  wholesale  pork 
business.  Since  then  he  has  been  in  the  building  and 
real  estate  business.  He  was  once  robbed  of  his  pocket- 
book  in  New  York  street  cars.  Lives  at  786  Treniont 
street,  Boston.  He  married  March  3,  1842,  Sarah  Bick- 
ford  Huff,  of  Kennebunk  Port,  Maine.     Six  children: 

(i)  Sarah*  Matilda  Swallow,  born  Jan.  2,  1843? 
'mar.  John  A.  Jones,  of  Boston.  She  died  June  2,  1872, 
leaving  two  children,  who  are  living  with  her  father: 

(1)    Gerta"  Adilade  Jones.    (2)    John  ^  C.  Jones, 

(ii)  George*  Ezra  Swallow,  born  in  Boston,  lives 
with  his  father,  unmarried. 

(iii)  Emma*  Adalade  Swallow,  born  in  Boston,  lives 
with  her  father,  unmarried. 

(iv)  Thomas*  Jefferson  Swallow,  born  in  Boston, 
went  to  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  1872,  to  learn  telegraphy. 

)K    r  Twins.*  One  died  in  infancy;  one  lived  18  mo. 
(vi)    f  •^' 

4.  John,     )  Twins  of  John  and  Sally  (AVood)  Swal- 

5.  Sarah,  \  low,  b.  in  Peterboro,  N.H.,  Jan. 28, 1820. 

4.  John'  Swallow  (twin),  married  at  Peterboro, 
Nov.  14,  1844,  Elizabeth  Nelson,  died  Aug.  28,  1869. 
Two  children: 


THE   SWALLOW    FAMILY.  227 

23 

(i)     JoHN^  Calvin  Swallow,  born  ,  at  Peter- 

boro,  married  there. 

(ii)    Ella*  Swallow,  born ,  at  Peterboro,  living 

with  her  mother  in  the  house  where  she  was  born,  iinm. 

5.  Sarah ^  Swallow  (twin),  born  Jan.  28,  1820, 
married  April  22,  1838,  Joseph  Pollard  Felt,  (his  third 
wife).  She  died  at  Mason  Village,  Nov.  7,  1841,  aged 
21  years.  Had  one  child,  who  died  in  Mason,  Feb. 
5,  1840. 

6.  Joseph,  )  Twins  (second  pair)  of  John  and  Sally 

7.  Mary,    \  (Wood)  Swallow,  born  Aug.  24,  1822. 

6.  Joseph'  Swallow  (twin),  married  Xov.  24,  1845, 
Aderathy  Woods,  of  Brookfield.     Have  one  daughter, 

married  ,   1872,  lives  at  Newton?     Have  buried 

two  children? 

7.  Mary'  Swallow  (twin  to  Joseph),  mar.  Horace 
W.  Pierce,  (second  wife).  Mr.  Pierce  is  the  same  who 
married  Louisa  H.  Swallow,  daughter  of  Ezra®  Swallow. 
She  resides  Avith  her  step-children  in  Brighton.  She 
had.  no  children. 

8.  Elizabeth'  Swallow,  born  at  Mason,  April  7, 
1825,  united  with  the  Baptist  Church  at  Mason  Village, 
married  Seneca  Lynch,  Aug.  26,  1845.  Reside  in  Ber- 
wick, Warren  Co.,  Illinois,  on  her  brother  Calvin's  land. 
Have  had  four  children:  Two  died  young.  Edwix® 
Lttxch,  Willie®  Lyxch,  both  now  living. 

9.  Addison'  Swallow,  born  at  Townsend,  Mass., 
April  27,  1827,  married  at  Boston,  Nov.  — ,  1852,  Sarah 
Leavy.     Resides  in  Boston.     Have  two  children : 

(i)     Fraxk®  Swallow,     (ii)     Willie®  Swallow. 

10.  Ellen  '  Rebecca  Swallow,  born  at  Mason,  May 
31,  1829,  died  Jan.  31,  1842,  aged  13  years,  buried  at 
Mason  Village. 

iii.  Isaiah®  Dunster  Swallow,  {John  and  Rehecccr' 
D.,  Jaso a,*  Henry, ^  Jona.,"^  Henry, ^)  the  third  child  of 
John  and  Rebecca  (Dunster)  Swallow,  born  March  29, 
1787,  married'.Alay  30,  1813,  Zibiah  Davis,  of  Roxbury, 
daughter  of  Xoah  and  Elizabeth  (Weld)  Davis.     Zibiah 


228        HENRY    DUNSTER   AND   HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

23 

Davis  was  a  sister  of  Mary  Davis,  wife  of  Isaiah^  Duu- 
ster.  They  lived  in  Roxbury  till  April,  1816,  when  they 
bought  a  farm  in  Templeton,  Mass.  His  wife  died  May 
7, 1848.    He  died  Sept.  6, 1861.   They  had  eight  children: 

1.  Ellen''  Zibiah  Swaj.low,  born  at  Eoxbury,  Feb. 
7,  1814.  After  the  death  of  her  mother,  she  appears  to 
have  assumed  the  care  of  the  family,  and  still  resides  at 
Templeton  Centre,  unmarried.  In  furnishing  a  record 
of  her  father's  family  she  adds:  "There  is  nothing  re- 
markable about  the  family  that  would  be  interesting." 
We  think  the  fact  that  she  has  lived  sixty  years  and  "  has 
not  been  sick  since  she  was  eight  years  old,"  is  a  very  re- 
markable fact,  and  one  that  does  not  often  occur. 

2.  Sarah'  Wood  Swallow,  born  Oct.  26,  1815,  in 
Roxbury,  married  Jan.  21,  1846,  Edson  Higley,  of  Tem- 
pleton. He  died  there,  Feb.  9,  1848.  Since  then  she 
has  lived  with  her  sister,  Ellen  Z.,  at  Templeton  Centre. 

3.  Isaiah'  Dunster  Swallow,  born  Sept.  7,  1817, 
married  April  22,  1847,  Esther  J.  Gates.  He  was  em- 
ployed in  a  factory.  Feb.  9,  1848,  he  went  to  the  mill 
to  work  before  any  other  hand  was  in,  and  it  is  supposed 
that  he  attempted  to  adjust  a  belt  and  was  entangled  in 
it  and  carried  round  the  drum,  killing  him  instantly. 
They  had  one  child : 

(i)  Lyman  ^  A.  Swallow,  born  Jan.  1,  1848,  died 
April  3,  1851. 

4.  William'  Alfred  Savallow,  born  April  12, 
1819,  married  April  13,  1845,  Azubah  H.  Hager;  was  a 
machinist  in  Worcester  manv  years.  He  died  April  15, 
1866.     She  died  Nov.  1,  1873.'    Had  two  children: 

(i)  Abbie^  a.  Swallow,  born  Oct.  19,  1846,  mar- 
ried Dec.  1,  1868,  William  B.  Allyn.  Live  in  Baldwin, 
Wisconsin.     Have  three  children: 

(1)  Mary''  A.  Allyn,  born  Oct.  16,  1869. 

(2)  William*  Alfred  Allyn,  born  Dec.  18,  187L 

(3)  Sybil «  R.  Allyn,  born  xMarch  26,  1874,  died 
Sept.  12,  same  year. 

(ii)     Martha^  Zibiah  Swallow,  born  Aug.  14,  1849, 


THE    SWALLOW    FAMILY.  220 

23 

mar.  Feb.  22,  187G,  William  F.  Scribner.     They  are  now 
iu  Worcester,  but  intend  to  go  W^est  this  spring  (1876). 

5.  Elizabeth'  R.  Swallow,  l)orn  Jan.  10,  1821, 
married  Dec.  12,  18G1,  James  H.  Bond.  They  reside  in 
Leicester,  Mass.     No  children. 

G.     Infant'  daughter,  b.  Jan.  18,  1822,  died  same  day. 

7.  Mary'  J.  Swallow,  born  April  3,  1823,  died 
May  1,  1855,  unmarried. 

8.  Lucy'  A.  Swallow,  born  May  28,  1826,  married 
May  22,  186G,  Davight  McFarland.  Reside  in  Leices- 
ter, Mass. 

A  part  of  the  family  of  Isaiah  and  Zibiah  (Davis) 
Swallow  are  Unitarians,  the  rest  are  Orthodox  Cougre- 
gationalists, 

iv.  Abel®  Swallow,  {John  and  Beheccar'  D.,  Jason, ^ 
Hen?'!/,^  Jon  a.,''  Henri/, ^)  the  fourth  child  of  John  and 
Rebecca  (Dunster)  Swallow,  born  at  Mason,  Nov.  3, 
1789,  went  to  Sudbury,  Mass.,  where  he  married  June 
8,  1814,  Dorcas  Parmenter,  born  Jan.  9,  1788,  at  Sud- 
bury. He  lived  after  his  marriage  in  Roxbury,  Brook- 
line,  Leominster,  Marlboro  and  Framingham.  He  was 
a  farmer  and  fruit  grower,  selling  generally  in  Boston. 
"  He  died  of  heart  disease,  Aug.  26,  1853,  at  Framing- 
ham,  He  was  handing  a  box  of  fine  plums,  which  lie 
had  raised,  to  his  market  man,  when  he  fell  back  and 
never  moved  a  muscle  after."     They  had  five  children: 

1.  George'  E.  Swallow,  born  at  Roxbury,  July  11, 
died  July  23,  1815. 

2.  Adaline  '  E.  Swallow,  born  at  Brookline,  June 
24,  1817,  married  March  14,  1838,  in  Framingham,  Ad- 
dison Belknap,  born  Jan.  20,  1811.  They  are  farmers, 
living  in  the  south  part  of  Framingham.     One  child: 

(i)  Addison®  Comer  Belknap,  born  Oct.  25,  1844, 
in  Framingham,  is  a  farmer  with  his  father.  He  mar- 
ried May  31,  1865,  Rebecca  Jane  Hosmer,  born  Xov.  17, 
1846,  in  Framingham.     They  have  one  child: 

(1)  Arthur'  T.  Belknap,  born  Feb.  8,  1872,  at 
Framinffham. 


230         HENRY    DUNSTER   AXD   HIS    DESCEXDANTS. 

23 

3.  Joseph'  Henry  Swallow,  born  at  Brookliue, 
Aug.  9,  1819,  is  a  farmer,  and  resides  in  the  north  part 
of  Framingham.  He  married  at  Danvers,  Mass,  March 
19,  1845,  Clarinda  J.  Ordway,  born  Dec.  9,  1824,  in 
Hopkinton,  N.  H.     They  have  had  three  children : 

(i)  Henry  ^  Clay  Swallow,  born  at  Merrimac,  N. 
H.,  June  3,  1846,  died  at  Framingham,  Aug.  10,  1850. 

(ii)  Henrietta^  Susan  Swallow,  born  at  Danvers, 
Sept.  23,  1849. 

(iii)  Carrie^  Jane  Swallow,  born  at  Framingham, 
May  19,  1861. 

4.  Susan''  R.  Swallow,  born  Feb.  14,  1823,  at  Leo- 
minster, died  July  10,  1844,  at  Framingham,  unm. 

5.  Sarah'  H.  Swallow,  born  at  Marlboro,  Sept.  19, 
1830,  mai-ried  Oct.  19,  1847,  at  Framingham,  Francis 
Hosmer,  born  at  Bolton,  Mass.,  June  8,  1826.  He  is  a 
farmer  in  the  north  part  of  Framingham.  Have  two 
children: 

(i)  Frederic^  H.  Hosmer,  born  Oct.  5,  1854,  is  a 
bookkeeper  in  Quincy  Market,  resides  in  Boston,  mar- 
ried Oct.  14,  1875,  E.  Ella  Winch,  born  June  24,  1855, 
in  Framingham. 

(ii)  Willie  «  T.  Hosmer,  born  Nov.  20,  1860,  in 
Framingham. 

V.  Nehemiah^  Swallow,  the  fifth  child  of  John 
and  Eebecca  (Dunster)  Swallow,  born  in  Mason,  May 
22,  1792,  went  to  Western  New  York,  afterwards  to 
Ohio,  where  he  died  of  a  fever  in  1826.     Unmarried. 

vi.  Ezra®  Swallow,  the  sixth  child  of  John  and 
Rebecca  (Dunster)  Swallow,  born  at  Mason,  Dec.  22, 
1794,  in  early  manhood  lived  with  his  Uncle  Isaiah  Dun- 
ster in  Roxbury,  driving  his  market  wagon  to  Boston, 
and  attending  to  the  agricultural  affairs  of  the  farm  gen- 
erally. After  his  uncle's  death  he  carried  on  the  tavern 
and  subsequently  bought  it.  He  married  May  22,  1820, 
Nancy  Shortlift,  born  April  17,  1799,  in  Sudbury.  She 
died  Sept.  17,  1841.  He  died  at  Roxbury,  Oct.  21,  1832. 
They  had  one  child: 


THE   SWALLOW    FAMILY.  231 

23-24 

1.  Louisa'  H.  Swallow,  born  at  Roxbuiy,  Marcli 
24,  1821.  Slie  married  at  Brigliton,  Dec.  24,  1848, 
Horace  W.  Pearce,  or  Pierce,  son  of  Horace  Pierce. 
They  had: 

(i)  AViLLiE*  H.  Pearce,  born  Jan.  3,  1850. 
(ii)  Fred.*  A.  Pearce,  born  March  1,  1852. 
(iii)  Cora®  C.  Pearce,  born  Nov.  19,  1854. 

All  reside  in  Brighton. 

His  wife  (Lonisa)  died  May  24,  1859,  and  he  married 
second,  Mary  Swallow,  daughter  of  John*  Swallow  (twin 
to  Joseph).  Mr.  Pearce  is  dead,  and  his  widow  lives 
with  her  step-children,  at  Brighton. 

vii.  Eebecca®  Swallow,  born  in  Mason,  May  3, 
1799,  lived  with  the  old  folks  until  her  mother  died 
(1811),  when  her  father  broke  up  housekeeping.  She 
then  lived  with  her  brother  Ezra,  in  Roxbury.  Here 
she  married  Abram  Sanborn,  born ,  in  Xew  Hamp- 
shire. They  lived  near  the  Dunster  (Swallow)  Tavern, 
She  died  there  Feb.  21,  1832.  Her  husband  married 
again,  and  moved  to  Canada,  and  took  a  part  or  all  of 
the  children  with  him,  some  of  whom  are  living.  They 
had  three  children: 

1.  Eliza'' Sanborn.  2.  George'  Sanborn,  hves 
in  Illinois.  3.  Elmira'  Sanborn,  called,  after  her 
mother's  death,  Rebecca  Sanborn.  Both  daughters 
are  married  in  South  Roxton,  Canada  East. 

24z.  V.  Martha^  Dunster,  (J'ftso?i,*^(?w^,'Jb;?f/.^ 
Hennj,^)  the  fifth  child  of  Jason  and  Rebecca  (Cutter) 
Dunster,  Avas  born  at  Cambridge  (Precinct),  Aug.  28, 
baptized  Sept.  3,  1758,  by  Rev.  Samuel  Cooke,  Second 
Church.  She  removed  with  her  father's  family,  1769, 
to  Mason,  N".  H.  She  did  not  live  with  her  father  all  of 
the  time,  but  went  ''out  to  service,"  as  we  call  it  now, 
which  then  meant  an  assistant  in  the  family  equal  with 
the  children.  She  lived  at  Major  Abbot's,  in  Wilton. 
Here  she  became  acquainted  with  Oliver  Wright,  the 
son  of  John  Wright,  of  Dunstable,  now  Nashua.  He 
was  born  in  Westford,  Mass.,  and  died  "the  year  after 
21 


232         HENRY    DUNSTER   AXD    HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

24 

Martha  married,"  aged  92,  consequentl}'  lie  must  have 
been  born  in  X^$^7  We  give  the  record  of  his  children 
as  remarkable  instances  of  longevity  in  one  family. 
{William  P.   Wright's  Bible.) 

John,  Jr.,  born  May  4,  1748,  died  March  1,  1836, 
aged  88  years,  7  months. 

Zebedee,  born  July  19,  1749,  died  Jan.  1,  1823,  aged 
73  years,  5  months. 

Benjamin,  born  Oct.  12,  1751,  died  Aug.  29,  1833, 
aged  81  years,  10  months. 

Isaac,  born  Sept.  4,  1754,  died  Feb.  11,  1837,  aged 
82  years,  4  months. 

Nehemiah,  born  Oct.  12,  1756,  died  Feb.  18,  1842, 
aged  85  years,  4  months. 

Oliver,  born  Sept.  14,  1758,  died  Sept.  3,  1847,  aged 
89  years. 

Sarah,  born  Sept.  4,  1762,  died  Dec.  22,  1838,  aged 
€6  years,  3  months. 

Oliver,  the  son,  was  born  in  Westford,  Sept.  14,  1758. 
Martha  "fixed  her  things,"  as  her  only  living  daughter 
said,  at  Major  Abbot's,  and  they  were  married  Sept.  7, 
1783.  Her  husband  had  not  been  unmindful  of  the 
responsibilities  he  was  about  to  assume.  With  his 
brother,  Xehemiah,  he  had  purchased  two  lots  of  land 
in  Monadnock  No.  6,  then  called  Packer's  field,  now 
Nelson,  lying  about  forty  miles  from  his  father's  resi- 
dence and  thirty  from  her's,  among  the  mountains  of 
the  Monadnock  range.  Here  he  had  "  fixed  his  things," 
which  consisted  of  a  small  house  and  a  little  "opening" 
in  the  solitary  wilderness.  As  soon  as  married  they 
made  their  "  wedding  trip."  It  was  to  this  little  home. 
Here  tliey  lived,  here  all  their  children  Avere  born,  here 
they  died. 

They  were  both  members  of  the  Orthodox  Congrega- 
tional Church,  and  maintained  a  Christian  and  con- 
sistent life,  blameless  to  the  end.  A  visit  to  their  home 
in  1837,  is  vividly  remembered.  They  were  alone.  Their 
children  had  all  lieen  married,  or  died.  They  were  then 
about  80  vears  old.     That  family  altar  had  never  been 


THE    WRIGHT   FAMILY.  233 

neglected;  and  kneeling  around  it  seemed  almost  "Holy 
ground."  Tlicy  were  ])rude]it  and  liard-working.  On 
tiie  19th  of  March,  1821,  the  house  which  they  had  erec- 
ted and  made  comfortable  in  furniture  and  conveniences 
by  their  united  labor  of  forty  years,  was  burued.  Xo- 
thiug  of  conse({uence  was  saved.  It  was  before  the  days 
of  general  insurance,  and  all  was  lost.  A  new  home  was 
built  by  them,  assisted  by  their  friends,  and  again  they 
were  cheerful  and  happy. 

She  died  Sept.  2,  1838,  being  80  years,  5  months,  19 
days  old.  He  died  Sept.  3,  1847,  nine  years  after  his 
wife,  aged  89  years.  1)1  their  Family  Bible,  at  AVilliam 
P.  Wright's,  Chicago,  his  birth  is  April  1-4,  1758,  and 
his  death  is  Sept.  3,  184G,  age  88  years,  4  months,  19 
days.  They  were  both  buried  in  Nelson.  They  raised  a 
large  and  enterprising  family,  having  had  ten  children: 

i.  Oliver  Wright,  born  June  5,  1786,  died  Oct.  11, 
1850.     Twice  married. 

ii.  Kendall  Wright,  born  March  6,  1788.  When 
four  years  old  he  was  placing  about  the  wood-pile,  tlien 
being  prepared  for  burning,  when  a  log  rolled  from  it 
killing  him  instantly,  April  19,  1792. 

iii.  Abiel  Wright,  born  March  27,  1790,  married 
Patty  Baker,  still  living,  in  Hartland,  Vt. 

iv.  Jason  Wright,  born  April  21,  1792,  died  Aug. 
25,  the  same  year,  4  months  old,  buried  at  Xelson. 

V.  Patty  Wright,  born  March  28,  1794,  mar.  Oliver 
Heald,  (1st  wife,)  died  Aug.  19,  1854,  at  Milford,  X.  H. 

vi.  Henry  Wright,  born  Sept.  17,  1795,  mar.  Lois 
Kimball,  died  in  Chnton,  Mass.,  Aug.  26,  1852. 

yii.  Anna  Wright,  born  July  9,  1797,  married  Cyrus 
Greenwood,  died  Nov.  12,  1816. 

viii.  Lucy  Wright,  born  Aug.  28,  1799,  mar.  Leon- 
ard Butterfield,  still  living,  in  Dunstable,  N.  H. 

ix.  Ira  Wright,  born  Oct.  20,  1801,  died  Feb.  7, 
1802,  buried  at  Nelson. 

X.  Myra  Wright,  born  Dec.  30,  1802,  mar.  Edwin 
Jewel,  died  Oct.  7,  1849. 


234         HENRY    DUJSfSTER  AND   HIS    DESCENDAXTS. 

24: 

i.  Oliver^  Wright,  {Oliver  and  Martlirr"  D.,  Jason,^ 
Henry, ^  Jonatlian,^  Henrii,^)  was  the  first  child  of  Oliver 
and  Martha  (Duuster)  Wright,  born  June  5,  1786.  He 
lived  with  his  father  until  of  suitable  age  to  learn  the 
trade  of  cabinet-maker  with  Col.  James  Wood,  of  Mason. 
While  an  apprentice  he  made  the  black  cherry  tree  case 
to  the  clock  of  jiis  Uncle  Dunster — about  1803 — the 
works  of  which  were  bought  of  "Billings,  the  clock 
maker,"  of  Acton.  It  is  noAV  as  good  as  new,  and  is 
quietly  ticking  away  at  the  "old  parsonage,"  asking  no 
favors  except  to  be  wonnd  up  at  the  close  of  the  week's 
work.  After  finishing  his  trade  he  established  himself 
at  Tyngsboro,  N.  H.  In  Mason  he  became  acquainted 
witli  Hannah  Wheeler,  the  seventh  child  of  Timothy  and 
and  Sarah  (Hubbard)  Wheeler,  who  had  a  fine  farm  near 
that  of  Col.  Wood.  She  was  born  May  7,  1789.  They 
were  married  by  Rev.  E.  Hill,  May  25,  1809,  and  went 
at  once  to  Tyngsboro.  They  staid  but  a  short  time 
there.  He  removed  to  Nelson  iti  1810,  and  set  up  a  shop 
for  cabinet  making,  &c.  Here  he  had  machinery  of  his 
own  contrivance  propelled  by  water  poAver.  One  of  his 
then  little  cousins  remembers  a  top  turned  by  him  which, 
being  his  first  one,  he  considered  a  marvel  of  skill. 

As  early  as  1812,  and  we  think  before,  he  conceived  the 
idea  of  sawing  shingles  from  the  log.  He  carried  his 
plan  into  practice,  and  set  his  machine  to  work.  It  did 
all  that  was  expected  of  it.  Everything  needed  to  com- 
plete its  success  and  consequent  remnneration  was  a  suit- 
able person  to  dispose  of  the  shingles.  The  country 
traders  then  did  most  of  the  business  of  buying  and  sell- 
ing. He  applied  to  them  to  aid  him  in  selling,  and  was 
assured  that  they  would  take  the  matter  into  considera- 
tion and  see  him  again.  The  one  in  whom  he  had 
placed  the  most  confidence  did  see  him.  He  exhibited 
the  machine  and  explained  its  construction,  and  showed 
its  working.  After  a  full  examination  and  clear  con- 
ception of  its  arrangements,  he  saw  its  ultimate  results. 
It  would  interfere  with  much  of  the  business  of  his  other 
customers,  and  therefore  reduce  his  own  profits,  so  he 
began  to  belittle  its  utility  and  discourage  the  inventor. 
This  had  its  intended  effect.     He  Avas  "  talked  out  of  it." 


THE    AVRIGHT    FAMILY.  235 

24 

Modest  and  confiding,  lie  believed  the  story.  His  ma- 
chine was  taken  to  pieces  and  stowed  away  among  the 
'*'  old  lumber  in  the  garret,"  and  he  gave  up  his  cherished 
desire.     Such  is  the  fate  of  many  real  inventors. 

Sometime  afterwards,  that  very  man  who  had  "  con- 
sidered "  the  plan  j^nt  a  "machine  for  sawing  shingles" 
into  full  operation,  for  which  he  obtained  a  patent,  mak- 
ing oath  that  it  was  his  own  invention,  although  it  em- 
braced exactly  the  same  principles  in  exact  detail.  He 
made  a  handsome  proi)erty  out  of  it.  We  mention  this 
at  some  length  on  account  of  the  wrong  done  the  real 
inventor,  and  to  certify  to  its  priority.  We  saw  it  in 
operation,  and,  although  a  child  at  that  time,  can  now 
remember  the  automic  contrivance  by  which  it  was 
made  to  saw  the  butt  and  top  of  shingles  alternately. 
This  only  Avas  patentable,  as  we  saw  in  after  years,  when 
the  prhici'ples  of  mechanics  were  better  studied. 

He  also  invented  a  machine  for  sawing  ship  timber. 
He  was  at  one  time  an  overseer  in  the  Columbian  Fac- 
tories at  Mason  Village,  and  spent  most  of  his  active  life 
in  making  steam  and  cotton  machinery. 

He  married  second,  Aug.  16,  1818,  Rhoda  Taylor,  of 
Dunstable,  the  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Ruth  (Parker) 
Taylor,  born  Aug.  24,  1787.  He  was  the  first  deacou  of 
the  First  Baptist  Church  in  Dunstable.  She  (Rhoda) 
united  with  that  church  about  1805,  Avas  afterwards  an 
active  member  of  the  first  Sabbath  School  in  Dr.  Sharpens 
Church,  Boston,  in  1817.  "  She  read  ihe  Bible  through 
aH)iU(dhj  for  near  thirty  years."  She  died  at  Xunda,  N. 
Y.,  July  11,  1868,  aged  80  years  and  10  months,  and 
was  buried  at  Mount  Hope  Cemetery,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 

Oliver®  Wright  united  with  the  Congregational  Church 
in  Nelson,  on  profession  of  faith,  in  1817.  He  removed 
to  Xew  Ipswich,  1823,  and  to  Mason  Village,  1839.  Here 
he  united  with  the  Baptist  Church  in  1830,  and  .was  bap- 
tized by  immersion.  He  removed  with  his  family  to 
Nunda,  Livingston  Co.,  X.  Y.,  1835,  thence  to  Roches- 
ter, X.  Y.,  184:6.  "He  lived  a  consistent  Christian  life, 
and  died  in  the  hope  of  a  glorious  resurrection,  Oct.  12, 
1850,  aged  64  years."  He  was  buried  at  Mount  Hope 
Cemetery,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 
*21 


236         HENRY    DUNSTER   AXD    HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

24 

Hannah  (Wheeler),  his  first  wife,  died  March  4,  1817, 
when  Kendall,  their  fifth  child  was  ten  days  old,  aged 
28  years,  was  buried  at  Nelson.  She  was  a  woman  of 
good  character  and  deservedly  beloved.  Her  eldest 
daughter,  Caroline,  has  furnished  an  interesting  sketch 
of  her  life  and  religious  experience  which  we  would  glad- 
ly insert.  For  Avaut  of  space  we  can  only  say  that  on 
her  death  bed  she  named  her  infant  child,  and  with  an 
earnest  desire  for  the  conversion  of  her  associates,  se- 
lected Amos,  vi.,  3,  as  a  text  from  which  she  requested 
her  pastor,  Eev.  Gad  Xewell,  to  preach  her  funeral  ser- 
mon. To  her  friends  she  said,  I  am  alive,  and  shall  live 
again;  old  things  are  done  away;  all  things  have  become 
new.  I  can  now  say,  "  Oh,  death,  where  is  thy  sting? 
Oh,  grave,  where  is  thy  victory?" 

Oliver^  Wright  had  eight  children:  By  his  first  wife, 
Hannah,  five;  by  his  second  wife,  Rhoda,  three: 

i.  Caroline''  Wright,  the  oldest  child,  was  born  in 
Tyngsboro,  N.  H.,  March  5,  1810.  Her  father  went  to 
Nelson  when  she  was  about  six  months  old.  Here  she 
lived  until  the  death  of  her  mother,  when  she  Avas 
adopted  by  her  Aunt  Lucy  (Wheeler)  Stone,  of  Town- 
send.  She  united  with  the  Orthodox  Congregational 
Church,  when  sixteen  years  old,  on  recent  profession  in 
Townsend  (Eev.  Mr.  Palmer).  Her  uncle,  Samuel  Stone, 
Avho  had  just  erected  a  new  house,  died  Aug.  29,  1830. 
His  widow  lived  at  the  neAV  residence  until  her  death, 
Dec.  28,  1861,  aged  77  years,  27  days.  By  her  will,  the 
property  was  given  to  Caroline,  oit  which  she  lived — 
housekeeping — till  about  1868.  Her  history,  though  a 
painful  one,  is  interesting,  and  we  extend  it  as  related 
by  her  letters,  which  have  been  numerous,  and  at  times 
written  by  an  amanuensis. 

She  had  often,  in  her  childhood,  heard  of  her  Aunt 
Stone,  her  mother's  sister,  but  had  only  seen  her  in  in- 
fancy. When  her  mother  died,  she  felt  a  desire  to  go 
and  live  with  them.  At  the  funeral  she  asked  her  aunt 
if  she  might  go  home  Avith  her.  The  reply  Avas  an  en- 
couraging one;  and  the  same  month  Caroline  Avent  to 
ToAvnsend  as  their  adopted  daughter.     For  a  time  she 


THE    WRIGHT   FAMILY.  23T 

wiis  discontented  and  unhappy  at  being  separated  from 
father,  brothers  and  sisters.  Her  uncle  and  aunt  Avere 
very  kind,  and  soon  she  became  attached  to  them.  After 
Mr.  Stone  died  she  taught  school,  occasionally,  for  some 
years.  In  1S4-2  she  was  disabled  by  lameness,  liereditary 
m  the  family  of  her  Grandfather  Wheeler.  The  disabil- 
ity has  been  so  great  that  she  has  been  unable  to  walk 
for  more  than  twenty-five  years;  but  has  been  able  in 
later  years,  generally,  to  trundle  herself  about  her  room 
in  a  chair.  Sometimes  she  can  use  her  hands  for  writ- 
ing, reading,  or  other  things  not  requiring  much  physi- 
cal strength;  at  others,  she  is  unable  to  write,  or  even 
feed  herself.  Since  18G8  she  has  boarded — most  of  the 
time  in  the  families  of  her  friends  and  relations — for  the 
last  five  or  six  years  at  her  cousin's,  Samuel  H.  Wheeler, 
Mason  Centre. 

She  adds  that,  "in  these  later  years,  she  views  the  cir- 
cumstance of  her  going  to  live  with  her  uncle  and  aunt 
as  a  good  Providence,  by  which  a  more  ample  provision 
was  made  for  her  comfort  and  happiness  than  perhajis 
would  otherwise  have  been  during  these  years  of  suffer- 
ing and  disability;  and  she  would  most  gratefully  re- 
member the  continued  loving  kindness,  of  her  Heavenly 
Father,  who  has  so  mercifully  sustained  her  under  afflic- 
tion, and  so  bountifully  provided  every  needed  blessing." 

Her  last  letter,  Avritten  by  another  hand,  says:  "  I  am 
unusually  ill,  confined  to  my  bed  almost  entirely,  and 
have  been  for  the  last  year.  I  can  generally  write  five 
or  six  lines  in  a  day;  when  I  have  more  to  do,  I  am 
obliged  to  have  some  one  write  for  me. 

ii.  The  second  child  of  Oliver  and  Hannah  (Wheeler) 
Wright  was  Sarah,''  or  Sally  Wright,  born  in  Nelson, 
Feb.  24,  1812,  and  died  March  16,  same  year. 

iii.  Almira'  Du^iSTER  Wright,  their  third  child, 
was  born  in  Xelson,  Feb.  8,  1813.  She  went  to  Mason 
Village  with  her  father,  1829.  Here  she  professed  relig- 
ion, and  joined  the  Baptist  Church  there.  She  went  in 
1835  to  Xunda,  N.  Y.  She  married,  at  Warsaw,  X.  Y., 
May  25,  1837,  Mordan  Stilman  Wright,  of  Washington 
County.     He  was  a  carpenter,  resided  at  Xunda.     He 


238         HEISTKY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

24 

made  a  profession  of  religion  there.  They  were  not  re- 
lated to  each  other.  They  moved  to  Ann  Arbor,  Mich- 
igan, in  1855,  and  appear  to  have  lived  at  Mount  Morris. 
He  sold  his  place  in  Ann  Arbor,  in  the  spring  of  1873, 
and  removed  to  Eaton  Rapids,  to  live  with  their  son. 
He  died  there  prior  to  Sept.  17,  1873,  and  his  widow  re- 
turned to  Ann  Arbor,  and  lives  on  property  they  owned 
there.     They  had  four  children : 

1.  Walter^  Stilman  Wright,  born  at  Nunda, 
April  32,  1838,  married  Sept.  8,  1809,  Mrs.  Louisa  C. 
Spoor,  at  Detroit,  Mich.  She  had  had  three  daughters 
by  her  former  husband.  He. is  a  farmer,  and  resides  at 
Eaton  Eapids. 

2.  Carrie®  Elizabeth?  Wright,  was  born  at  Nun- 
da,  Sept.  14,  1843.  Professed  religion  at  Ann  Arbor, 
March  17,  1871. 

3.  Ella®  S.  Wright,  (Althea  in  one  record,)  born 
at  Mount  Morris,  April  9,  1846,  professed  religion  at 
Ann  Arbor,  with  her  sister. 

4.  Hannah®  Elizabeth  Taylor  Wright,  born  at 
Mount  Morris,  New  York,  Oct.  17,  1848. 

iv.  Timothy'  Wheeler  Wright,  was  born  in  Nel- 
son, Nov.  29,  1814.  ''Possessing  an  amiable  disposi- 
tion, his  affectionate  treatment  of  his  younger  brothers 
and  sister  left  an  undying  impression  on  their  young 
hearts.  Previous  to  his  last  sickness  he  had  sought  the 
Lord,  and  his  dying  bed  was  made  soft  by  his  Saviour's 
sustaining  hand.  He  labored  to  lead  all  who  visited  him 
to  repentance  and  faith."  {Caroline  Wriglit.)  He  died 
in  New  Ipswich,  N.  H.,  Dec.  6,  1827,  aged  13  years  and 
1  week;  was  interred  in  Nelson. 

V.  Oliver''  Kendall  Wright,  was  born  in  Nelson, 
Feb.  21,  1817.  His  mother  died  when  he  was  ten  days 
old.  She  named  him  on  her  death  bed,  Oliver,  (his  own 
father)  and  Kendall,  who  had  been  so  suddenly  killed 
while  a  child.  "He  possessed  a  decided  talent  for  me- 
chanical pursuits,  and  was  successful  in  accomplishing 
some,  for  one  so  young,  difficult  pieces  of  work."  He 
died  at  Nelson,  Dec.  2,  1835,  aged  18  years,  9  mo.  11  d. 


THE    WRIGHT   FAMILY.  230 

vi.  Haxnah  '  Elizabeth  Taylor  Wright,  ( Oliver,^ 
Martha'"  D.,  Jason,*  Henry, ^  Jona.,^  Henry, ^)  the  sixth 
child  of  Oliver  and  the  first  of  Rhoda  (Taylor)  Wright, 
was  born  in  Nelson,  Sept.  21,  1820.-  "In  infancy  she 
was  an  invalid.  Deprived  of  the  ordinary  amnsements 
of  children  she  devoted  her  time,  even  at  that  early  age, 
to  reading.  Imbibing  from  her  mother,  who  had  been 
no  stranger  to  sickness  and  casualties,  a  love  of  religious 
reading,  she  made  that  her  pleasure.  When  less  than 
seven  years  old,  and  during  a  sickness  in  which  her  life 
was  despaired  of,  it  pleased  God  to  manifest  his  convert- 
ing grace  and  implant  a  love  for  the  Bible  and  religious 
literature,  and  thus  shape  her  after  life.  At  the  early 
age  of  nine  years,  while  reading  the  thrilling  stories  from 
the  Missionary  Magazine,  a  conviction  of  duty  to  pre- 
pare for  work  among  the  heathen  was  felt.  To  that 
object  her  aim  was  directed.  She  had  recovered  the  use 
of  her  limbs.  On  the  7th  of  Sept.,  1834,  she  united 
with  the  Baptist  Church  in  Mason  Village,  and  in  the 
May  following  removed  with  her  father  to  Nunda,  X.  Y. 
She  taught  school  in  Warsaw,  N.  Y.,  some  portion  of 
each  year  for  ten  years. 

"In  1846,  her  father  having  removed  to  Rochester, 
she  accepted  a  situation  as  teacher  in  the  j)ublic  schools 
of  that  city.  During  these  passing  years,  the  allure- 
ments of  society,  with  the  pleasure  of  teaching,  had 
chilled  the  ardor  of  early  consecration  to  the  cause  of 
Missions.  "But  chastisements  [the  death  of  her  father, 
probably]  awoke  the  slumbering  conviction  and  led  to  a 
renewed  consecration  to  that  work.  Induced  by  the  ad- 
vice of  her  pastor.  Dr.  Church,  she  offered  herself  to  the 
Board  of  American  Baptist  Mission  Union,  and  was  ap- 
pointed teacher  in  the  Karen  Normal  School,  in  charge 
of  Rev.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Biuncy,  Maulmain,  Burmah. 
With  other  missionaries  she  sailed  from  Boston,  Oct. 
18,  1849,  in  the  ship  Arab,  and  arrived  March  18,  1850, 
and  assumed  the  charge  of  one  of  the  departments  of 
the  school  the  following  day. 

"  Mrs.  Binney's  health  having  failed,  her  husband 
soon  left  for  America,  leaving  the  school  in  the  charge 
of  Miss  Wright,  with  Mrs.  Miranda  Vinton  as  assistant. 


240        HENRY    DUNSTER   AND   HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

24: 

The  oft  recurring  failure  in  the  health  of  missionaries 
prostrated  her,  and  obliged  her  to  leave  her  much  loved 
and  flourishing  school,  and  she  returned  to  her  native 
land  in  1853.  Health  was  again  restored;  and  she  mar- 
ried July  15,  1858,  in  Rochester,  Eev.  Lyman  Stilson, 
formerly  Missionary  to  the  Burmans,  of  Arracan  and 
Maulmain.  He  was  born  in  Merideth,  Delaware  Co.,  N. 
Y.,  Jan.  39,  1815;  sailed  for  Burmah  in  1837;  labored 
in  the  preparation  of  books  and  maps,  and  teaching, 
during  his  stay  of  fourteen  years. 

''In  Sept.,  1847,  while  treasurer  of  the  Missions,  an 
attempt  was  made  by  three  Burmans  to  rob  him.  They 
entered  his  study  late  in  the  evening,  while  he  was  alone 
and  unarmed.  A  struggle  ensued,  in  which  he  was 
severely  wounded  in  his  face,  head,  arm  and  right  hand, 
which  was  badly  mutilated.  These  wonnds  caused  a 
failure  of  health,  and  a  return  to  x^merica  in  1853." 

Mrs.  Stilson  contributed,  Jan.  11,  1877,  to  the  Baptist 
Beacon,  Des  Moines,  Iowa,  an  interesting  sketch  of 
President  Dunster. 

Two  children: 

1.  Charlie^  Lyman  Stilson,  born  at  Nunda,  N. 
Y.,  Feb.  28,  1860. 

2.  Edwin®  Parker  Stilson,  born  at  Nunda,  May 
4,  1861. 

The  present  (1873)  residence  of  this  family  is  at  Jef- 
ferson, Greene  County,  Iowa. 

vii.  William'  Parker  Wright,  {Oliver,^  Oliver  and 
Marthcv'  D.,)  was  the  seventh  child  of  Oliver  and  second 
of  Rhoda  (Taylor)  Wright.  He  was  born  at  Nelson,  N. 
H.,  Jan.  6,  1823;  went  to  New  Ipswich,  thence  to  Mason 
Village,  thence  followed  all  the  various  removals  made 
by  his  father  till  1853,  when  he  and  his  brother,  Charles 
B.  Wright,  established  themselves  in  the  business  of 
building  fire  engines,  which  they  continued  till  1859. 
They  then  both  enlisted  in  the  army.  He  enlisted  as  a 
private,  and  went  to  Washington.  Here  he  was  detailed 
as  nurse  in  one  of  the  hospitals.  His  attention  to  the 
sick  and  wounded   made  him  a  favorite  confidant  with 


THE    WRIGHT    FAMILY.  241 

24 

them.  Authority  at  Washington  liad  forbidden  these 
distressed  victims  of  violence  to  inform  their  friends  of 
their  condition,  "lest  it  should  discourage  enlistments." 
Disregarding  these  orders,  and  being  a  ready  Writer,  he 
made  glad  the  heart  of  many  of  them,  and  their  conse- 
quent hope  of  recovery,  by  sending  to  their  friends  such 
messages  as  they  dictated. 

In  1872  he  lived  at  G60  Butterfield  street,  Chicago, 
being  in  tlie  employ  of  the  Rock  Island  Engine  "Works, 
as  a  machinist,  but  now  resides  at  the  works.  He  mar- 
ried June  14,  1866,  at  Port  Byron,  Illinois,  Gertrude 
E.  Simonsou.  She  is  descended  from  the  family  who 
owned  the  property  where  ''rich"  Trinity  Church,  in 
New  York,  now  stands.  It  is  claimed  that  "Trinity" 
never  paid  for  it.     They  have  two  children: 

1.  Abbot*  Lawrence  Wright,  b.  at  Chicago,  May 
18,  1809,  named  by  his  father  for  Abbot  Lawrence,  of 
Boston,  Mass.,  who  was  a  cousin  of  his  "  sainted  mother." 

2.  A  daughter,^  her  name  not  recollected,  born  about 
1873,  at  the  Rock  Island  Engine  Works,  about  four 
miles  from  Chicago  proper. 

viii.  Charles'  Bateman"  Wright,  was  born  in  New 
Ipswich,  X.  H.,  Aug.  8,  1828.  At  Mason  Village  he 
began  his  education  at  the  common  school;  removed 
with  his  father  to  Nunda;  removed  to  Warsaw,  N.  Y., 
1838;  back  to  Xunda  in  1840.  Here  he  carried  on  a 
more  extended  business  of  machine  building  than  he  had 
done  at  Xunda  or  Warsaw,  till  1846,  when  he  removed 
to  Rochester,  X.  Y.,  but  was  in  no  business  for  himself. 
He  learned  the  trade  of  machinist  of  his  father.  In 
1852  he  and  his  brother,  William'  P.  Wright,  engaged 
in  the  business  of  building  fire  engines  at  Rochester? 
which  they  continued  till  1859. 

At  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  he  enlisted  in  the 
army,  and  on  arriving  at  Washington  was  transferred 
to  the  navy  yard,  to  work  in  the  ordinance  department 
as  a  machinist.  In  May,  1863,  he  was  appointed  an 
engineer  in  the  navy,  and  served  two  years.  At  the 
close  of  the  war  he  removed  to  Rochester,  and  from  that 
place,  in  1865,  established  the  machine  business  with 


242        HEXRY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

William  E.  Leard,  at  Pithole  (oil  regions),  in  Pennsyl- 
vania. From  Pithole  they  removed  to  Chattanooga,  in 
Tennessee,  where  they  now  carry  on  the  same  business. 
He  married,  in  Eochester,  Oct.  18,  1854,  Mary  Little- 
field,  born  Jan.  22,  1838,  in  that  city.  They  both  be- 
long to  the  Episcopalian  Church  in  Chattanooga.  Four 
children: 

1.  Charles^  Parker  Wright,  born  in  Eochester, 
N.  Y.,  April  3,  1856. 

2.  Elliot®  Oliver  Wright,  born  in  Eochester, 
Jan.  2,  1859. 

3.  Xellie'  Wright,  b.  in  Eochester,  Aug.  12, 1860. 

4.  Genevra®?  or  Geneva?  Leard  Wright,  born  at 
Pithole,  Penn., ,  died  Sept.  23, 1868,  aged  5  months. 

iii.  Ariel ^  Wright,  {Oliver  and  Martlia^  D.,  Jason,*" 
Henry, ^  Jona.,^  Henry, ^)  was  born  in  Nelson,  March  27, 
1790.  He  lived  with  his  father  till  about  the  time  of  his 
marriage,  June  9,  1818,  to  Patty  (Martha)  Baker,  daugh- 
ter of  Thomas  and  Sally  (Temple)  Baker,  of  Marlboro, 
K.  H.,  and  then  bought  a  place  at  Harrisville,  a  village 
in  Xelson,  about  four  miles  from  his  father's.  It  is  now, 
"we  think,  a  separate  town.  He  was  a  much  respected 
man;  was  Captain  of  the  Dublin  and  Nelson  Cavalry  Co. 
for  six  years;  was  first  Selectman  near  twenty  years,  and 
did  much  other  town  business.  He  was  a  social,  genial, 
and  religious  man,  but  not  a  church  member.  After 
the  death  of  his  wife,  Dec.  8,  1855,  he  removed  with  his 
daugliter,  Julian,  to  Hartland,  \^ermont,  where  he  now 
resides.  Is  in  his  87th  year  of  age,  and  as  last  heard 
from,  is  in  good  health.  His  wife  was  buried  in  Nelson. 
They  had  seven  children,  all  born  in  Nelson: 

1.  Francis^  Walter  Wright,  {Aliel,^  Oliver  and 
Martha^  Dnnster,)  born  Sept.  27,  1819,  lived  with  his 
father  till  1839,  then  went  with  Melville  &  Nims,  mer- 
chants, for  about  three  and  a  half  years.  Then  traded 
for  himself,  in  Marlow,  N.  H.,  about  six  months,  when  he 
removed  his  goods  to  Ashby,  Mass.,  April  16,  1844,  and 
traded  there  "iibout  four  years.  Since  1848  he  has  been 
trading  in  stock,  real  estate,  and  nearly  everything  else; 


THE    WRIGHT    FAMILY.  24-3 

24 

and  now  (1874)  pays  the  largest  tax  of  any  man  in  Ash- 
by.  (This  we  did  not  learn  from  himself.)  He  has 
been  an  Auctioneer,  Assessor,  one  of  the  Selectmen  and 
Treasurer  of  the  town,  Overseer  of  the  Poor,  and  Collec- 
tor of  Taxes  for  twenty  years.  He  married  July  5,  1845, 
Caroline  Lydia  Melville,  born  Jan.  17,  1823,  daughter 
of  Henry  and  Caroline  Lydia  (Whitney)  Melville,  of 
Nelson.  He  was  born  Aug.  27,  1794,  and  was  killed 
April  3,  183G,  while  blasting  rocks  in  his  door  yard. 
She  was  born  July  6,  1795,  d'ied  Jan.  8,  1864. 

Francis  W.  Wright's  wife  died  Jan.  4,  1864,  at  Ash  by, 
was  buried  at  Nelson.  He  married  second,  Augusta  H. 
Holden,  Nov.  24,  1864,  daughter  of  Edward  Hosmer 
and  Dorcas  Barrett  (Cragin)  Holden,  of  New  Ipswich, 
N.  H.  She  was  born  in  New  Ipswich,  July  26,  1811. 
He  was  born  March  26,  1811.  Augusta  Hosmer  Holden 
was  born  Sept.  13,  1838,  educated  at  Ashby  and  Brad- 
ford Academy,  and  Townsend  Academy.  She  taught 
school  sixteen  terms  in  Ashburham,  Townsend  and  Ash- 
by,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Orthodox  Congregational 
Church,  which  she  and  her  husband  joined  at  the  same 
time.  She  is  prominent  in  organizing  societies,  and 
other  means  of  supporting  the  church,  one  of  which  was 
a  newspaper  got  up  by  her,  giving  an  address  on  the 
hundredth  anniversary  of  the  incorporation  of  Ashby, 
Sept.  4,  1867,  with  poetical  and  other  compositions  of 
her  own.  She  has  contributed  largely  to  the  periodical 
literature  of  the  day. 

Frank  Walter  Wright  had  three  children: 

(i)  Hexry^  Melville  Wright,  born  at  Ashbv,  Dec. 
15,  1848,  died  Feb.  27,  1849. 

(ii)  Francis*  Dascomb  Wright,  born  March  25, 
1848,  in  Ashby.  He  has  been  well  educated,  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  church,  and  was  married  Jan.  25,  1875.  to 
Alice  M.  Haywood,  daughter  of  P.  A.  and  Martha  Hay- 
wood, of  Ashby. 

(iii)  Carrie*  Augusta  Wright,  born  Aug.  26,  1867, 
was  the  third  child  of  Francis  W.  and  the  first  of  Augusta 
(Holden)  Wright. 


2-44        HENRY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

24: 

2.  Abbie''  Baker  Wright,  was  the  second  child  of 
Abiel  and  Patty  (Baker)  Wright,  born  Jnne  19,  1821, 
married  Luther  Cobb,  of  !N"elson,  Nov.  16,  1848.  Have 
no  children.  Have  resided  a  short  time  in  each  of  sev- 
eral States,  east  and  west,  and  finally  settled  at  Big 
Rapids,  Michigan,  where  they  now  reside.  Mr.  Cobb 
has  held  the  office  of  Supervisor  of  the  township  for  some 
years,  also  Register  of  Deeds  for  the  county. 

3.  Wallace^  Wright,  born  April  23,  1823,  died 
Dec.  23,  1826. 

4.  Julia'  Ann  Wright,  born  Dec.  31,  1824,  mar- 
ried July  13,  1848,  Calvin  Rand  Greene,  of  Hillsboro, 
N.  H.  He  was  born  March  30,  1823.  They  lived  at 
Harrisville,  Peterboro,  N.  H.,  and  afterwards  at  Hart- 
land,  A^t.,  where  her  father  and  husband  purchased  a 
large  farm,  on  which  they  now  reside.  Her  father  still 
lives  with  them,  in  good  health,  but  very  deaf.  Their 
children  are: 

(i)  Alice ^  Julia  Greene,  born  at  Harrisville,  Nov. 
14,  1853. 

(ii)  Annie ^  Maria  Greene,  born  March  11,  1863, 
at  Hartland. 

5.  Almeda'  Wright,  born  Feb,  19,  J 829,  married 
June  3,  1856,  Benjamin  W.  Plummer,  of  Northfield,  N. 
H.  They  resided  in  Bennington,  N.  H.,  and  had  one 
child,  who  died  an  infant.  She  died  Sept.  7,  1859,  aged 
30  years  and  7  months. 

6.  Dascomb'  Wallace  Wright,  born  Feb.  6,"  1834, 
died  Jan.  30,  1841. 

7.  Martha'  Elzina  Wright,  born  July  5,  1838, 
married  March  3,  1870,  Lucian  Webster  Rice,  of  Hart- 
land,  Yt.  They  resided  a  short  time  in  Providence,  R. 
I.,  afterward  at  Vermont,  and  now  reside  on  a  large  milk 
farm  in  l^ebanon,  N.  H.     They  have: 

(i)     Lillian^  Emily  Rice,  born  June  1,  1871. 

V.  Martha^  (Patty)  Wright,  {Oliver  and Marthar' 
Dunster,  Jason,*  Henry, ^  Jona.,'^  Henry, ^)  the  fifth  child 
of  Oliver  and  Martha  (Dunster)  Wright,  was  born  March 
28,  1794.     She  married  April  30,  1816,  at  Nelson,  Oliver 


THE    HEALD    FAMILY,  245 

Heald  (Hale  in  the  old  Family  Bible),  of  Dublin,  X.  H. 
His  occupation  was  that  of  a  wool  carder  and  clothier. 
He  was  in  the  Avar  of  1812.  He  was  a  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  and  was  repeatedly  honored  by  his  townsmen, 
who  elected  him  to  places  of  trust.  Moved  to  Milford 
in  1849.  Patty*  died  Aug.  19,  1854,  at  Milford.  He 
was  married  again,  to  Relief  Little,  of  Peterboro,  X.  H., 
Marcli,  1857.  He  died  at  Peterboro,  Oct.  5,  ISGT.  The 
ten  children  of  Oliver  and  Patty  (Wright)  Heald  were 
all  born  in  Xelson: 

1.  Addison^  Heald,  born  Feb.  25,  1817,  married 
Jane  E.  French,  daughter  of  Rev.  Daniel  French,  of 
Bedford,  X.  H.,  (Congregationalist.)  She  was  born 
July  25,  1824.  He  was  educated  for  the  ministry,  and 
licensed  to  preach,  but  was  never  ordained.  He  had 
charge  of  a  colored  school  in  Mercer  Co.,  Ohio,  from 
1850,  about  four  years.  He  is  now  (1873)  manufac- 
turing furniture,  and  has  planing  works,  with  his  son,  at 
Milford,  X"".  H.     They  have  four  children: 

(i)  Daniel"  Miltox  Heald,  born  in  Ohio,  Jan.  9, 
1852,  is  with  his  father,  manufacturing  wood  work,  at 
the  establisbment  of  his  Uncle  David'  Heald. 

(ii)  Mary^  Jane  Heald,  born  in  Ohio,  July  5,  1853, 
married  June  24,  1872,  J.  Lewis  Merril,  a  teacher  in  the 
Lake  Forest  Academy,  Illinois.     One  child: 

(1)     QuiNCY®  Merril,  born  Sept.,  1874. 

(iii)  William^  Addison  Heald,  born  Feb.  22,  1857, 
died  April  9,  1857. 

(iv)  Sarah®  Maria  Heald,  born  June  4,  1858,  at 
Hudson,  X.  H. 

2.  Albert'  Heald,  {Oliver,^  Martha'"  D.,  Jasou,*' 
Henry,^  Jona.,'^  Henry, ^)  the  second  child  of  Oliver  and 
Patty  (Wright)  Heald,  was  born  Dec.  14,  1818.  He 
married  Harriet  Munson,  born  in  Whately,  Mass.,  Sept. 
15,  1820.  He  was  educated  for  the  ministry,  and  grad- 
uated at  Xew  Hampton  (X.  H.)  Theological  Institution; 
was  ordained  June  15,  1848,  at  Lyniitn,  Maine,  as  pastor 
of  the  Kennel)unk  and  Lyman  Baptist  Church;  left 
Maine  in  March,  1851,  and  settled  at  East  Washington, 


246         HENEY    DUNSTER    AND   HIS    DESCEN-UANTS. 

24. 

N.  H.,  May  1,  1851,  at  which  place  he  preached  until 
March  1,  1865,  when  he  settled  in  Warner,  N.  H.,  and 
continued  there  until  August,  1870.  In  November  of 
that  year,  he  settled  as  pastor  of  the  Baptist  Ghurcli  in 
Amherst,  N.  H.  He  furnished  much  of  the  record  of 
the  Heald  family.     They  had  but  one  child: 

(i)  Hattie^  G.  Heald,  born  at  Lyman,  Maine,  June 
1,  1850,  married  George  K.  Walker,  of  Amherst,  Dec. 
25,  1871.  He  is  a  druggist,  and  lives  at  No.  3  Bucking- 
ham Place,  Boston.     They  have  a  daughter: 

(1)     Gracie*  May  Walker,  born  May  6,  1874. 

3.  Sarah'  Ddnster  Heald,  born  Nov.  14,  1820, 
married  April  20,  1848,  William  Crosby,  at  Milford, 
N.  H.,  his  second  wife.  He  was  the  son  of  Othni 
Crosby,  who  was  the  occupant  of  the  Clothiers'  Works 
at  Mason  Village,  (then  called  Mason  Harbor,)  about 
1810.     They  live  in  Milford.     Have  no  children. 

4.  Emily'  Heald,  born  Dec,  1823,  was  the  fourth 
child  of  Oliver  and  Patty  (Wright)  Heald.  She  married 
John  Quincy  Adams  Ware,  born  Dec.  17,  1822,  at  Gil- 
sum,  N.  H.  He  graduated  at  the  New  Hampton  Theo- 
logical Institution,  1850;  was  ordained  over  the  Baptist 
Church  at  Marlboro,  N.  H.,  1852;  removed  to  Sanborn- 
ton  Bay,  where  he  remained  about  three  years;  then  re- 
moved to  Addison,  Vt.,  1858;  thence  to  Whiting,  Vt., 
1860.  Died  at  Derry,  N.  H.,  Aug.  29,  1865,  while  on 
a  visit  to  his  friends  there.  His  family  all  being  at 
Whiting  at  the  time,  and  expecting  his  return,  went  to 
the  depot  to  meet  him,  when  a  messenger  came  announc- 
ing his  death.     They  had  six  children: 

(i)  Edwin  ^  Chafin  WARii,  born  Oct.  8,  1852,  at 
Marlboro. 

(ii)  Martha^  Jane  Ware,  born  Dec.  25,  1853,  at 
Sanbornton,  N.  H.  She  married  Sept.  11,  1874,  Willis 
K.  Emerson,  of  Cleveland,  Ohio.  They  have  removed 
and  settled  there. 

(iii)  Lavina®  Maria  Ware,  born  July  19,  1855,  at 
Sanbornton.  She  has  lived  since  1866  with  her  Aunt 
Lydia  Harris,  at  Harrisville. 


THE    IIEALD    FAMILY.  247 

24 

(iv)  Walter^  Henry  Ware,  bom  A\)y\\  2o,  1859, 
at  Addison,  Vt. 

(v)  Mary^  Frances  Ware,  boni  May  30,  ISGO,  at 
Whitiug,  Vt,  died  at  Whiting,  May  6,  18G2. 

(vi)  Mary*  Emily  Ware,  born  March  G,  186G.  Her 
mother  has  resided  in  Milford,  where  this  child  was  born, 
since  her  husband's  death. 

5.  Henry''  Heald,  born  Dec.  23,  1825,  married 
May  5,  1852,  Frances  Marsliall,  born  July  9,  1828. 
Their  children  were: 

(i)  John*  Henry  Heald,  born  Aug.  9,  18G1,  died 
19th  same  month. 

(ii)  Arther*  Chase  Heald,  born  May  1-i,  18G3, 
died  Dec.  15,  1868. 

(iii)  EsTELLA*  Frances  Heald,  born  April  27,  1809. 

Mrs.  Frances  (Marshall)  Heald  died  Sept.  28,  18G9. 
He  married  second,  Mrs.  Lucy  Jane  (]McKean)  Hill, 
Aug.  24,  1872,  born  May  31,  1824. 

6.  Lydia'  Heald,  born  Feb.  7,  1828,  married  Sept. 
14,  1847,  Milan  Walter  Harris.  He  is  the  son  of  Milan 
Harris,  woolen  manufacturer  at  Harris ville,  ]S.  H.,  and 
is  in  comjnmv  with  his  father,  brother,  and  Gen.  S.  G. 
Griffin.  She,  Lydia,  died  Aug.  24,  1873.  They  had 
three  children: 

(i)  Edgar®  Carlton  Harris,  born  July  17,  1849, 
at  Harrisville.  In  1873  was  a  clerk  in  a  wholesale  dry 
goods  store  in  Boston. 

(ii)  Artiier*  Le  Weller  Harris,  born  Jan.  15, 
1857,  at  South  Koyalston,  Mass.,  died  Aug.  4,  1858, 
aged  1  year,  G  months  and  19  days. 

(iii)  Kate*  Winfield  Harris,  born  July  30,  18G3, 
at  Harrisville.  "  She  has  been  very  sick  for  the  last  ten 
months  (Feb.  15,  1873),  and  not  expected  to  live'twenty- 
four  hours.  A  bright  and  charming  little  girl;  but 
'  Death  loves  a  shining  mark.'"  (Albert  Heald.)  She 
died  Feb.  25,  1873. 

7.  William'  Heald,  born  June  14,  1830,  died  Feb. 
25,  1831. 

*22 


,248         HENRY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

24 

8.  David'  Heald,  the  eighth  child  of  Oliver  and 
Patty  (Wilght)  Heald,  was  born  Oct.  fi,  1832.  He  mar- 
ried first,  at  Milford,  Nov.  27,  1856,  Mary  Susan  Frost, 
born  March  — ,  1833,  at  Ashburnhani.  She  died  Nov. 
9,1858.     They  had  one  child: 

(i)  Ella^  Frances  Heald,  born  at  Milford,  April 
15,  1858,  died  Sept.  21,  same  year. 

He  married  second,  Oct.  22,  1862,  Mary  Elizabeth 
Stone,  born  June  19,  1840,  daughter  of  Calvin,  born 
June  10,  1801,  and  Elvira  (Wallingford)  Stone,  born 
Aug.  24,  1804,  all  born  at  Marlboro.  She  was  educated 
at  Marlboro  and  Dublin;  taught  school  at  Marlboro 
when  sixteen  years  old;  came  to  Milford  in  1858,  and 
taught  in  public  school  there  until  her  marriage.  She 
is  much  devoted  to  religious  interests,  and  prominent  in 
efforts  for  the  welfare  of  the  young.  Mr.  Heald  is  large- 
ly engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  furniture,  em])loying 
at  times  75  or  80  hands.  He  sells  mostly  in  Boston, 
and  is  absent  a  portion  of  the  time  for  that  purpose. 
During  these  times  family  religion  is  not  neglected  at 
home.     They  have  had  five  children: 

(ii)  Edward®  Stone  Heald,  born  Jan.  31,  1864,  at 
Milford.     He  was  (i)  of  Mary  Elizabeth  (Stone)  Heald. 

(iii)    Frank*  Herbert  Heald,  born  June  19,  1866, 

(iv)    Florence*  Mabel  Heald,  born  Nov.  11,  1867. 

(v)  Clara*  May  Heald,  born  Dec.  15,  1870,  died 
Aug.  1,  1871,  at  Milford,  buried  there. 

(vi)  Mary*  Susan  BIeald,  born  at  Milford,  May 
30,  1873. 

9.  Almira'  Heald,  the  ninth  child  of  Oliver  and 
Patty  Heald,  was  born  Jan.  20,  1835.  She  married,  at 
Harrisville,  Nov.  24,  1859,  Alonzo  French,  born  in 
Orange,  Mass.,  Nov.  14,  1831.     One  child: 

(i)  Gertrude*  Mira  French,  born  June  2,  1862, 
at  South  Eoyalston,  Mass.  She  died  June  23,  same 
year. 

10.  Edwin'  Heald,  born  July  4,  1837,  died  Aug. 
17,  1840. 


THE    WRIGHT    FAMILY.  249 

24 

vi.  Henry'"'  Wright,  {0/iirr  (uul  Martha^  D.,)  the 
sixth  child  of  Oliver  and  Miirtiia  (Dunster)  Wright,  was 
born  Sept.  17,  1795,  in  Nelson,  N.  H. ;  lived  with  his 
father  on  the  "old  clearing;"  was  a  farmer  and  carjien- 
ter.  He  nnited  with  the  Congregational  (Orthodox) 
Chnrch  about  1817.  He  married  Lois  Kimball,  June 
5,  1821,  at  Nelson,  She  united  with  the  same  church 
about  two  years  before  their  marriage.  They  carried  on 
the  farm,' living  in  the  same  house  (the  new  house),  but 
in  separate  apartments,  until  the  death  of  his  mother, 
1838.  His  father  lived  with  him  until  his  death,  1S4G. 
Henry  then  removed  his  family — one  half  of  whom  he 
had  buried  in  Nelson  (three  of  that  half  died  of  scar- 
latina), to  Clinton,  Mass.  They  both  removed  their 
churcli  membership  from  Nelson  to  Clinton  when  they 
went  there,  1849.  He  died  in  Clinton,  Aug.  26,  1852, 
was  buried  in  Clinton  Cemetery.  His  widow,  Lois, 
(1872)  lives  with  her  daughter,  Lura  Ann.  She  gave 
the  family  history.  They  had  eleven  children,  all  born 
in  Nelson,  only  three  of  whom  are  now  living.  The  de- 
ceased ones  were  all,  except  Ellen  and  Selena,  buried 
there.     Unmarried. 

1.  Emaline  '  Wright,  born  April  6,  1822,  died  Aug, 
G,  1843, 

2.  Selena'  Wright,  born  May  19,  1823,  died  Sept. 

5,  1859,  in  Clinton,  buried  there,  unmarried. 

3.  Anna'  Wright,  born  July  9,  1825,  died  April  24, 
1832,  of  scarlatina. 

4.  Louisa'  Wright,  born  June  9,  1827,  died  March 

6,  1833. 

5.  Henry'  Dunster  Wright,  born  March  14,  1829, 
died  April  22,  1832,  of  scarlatina. 

6.  Jane'  Elizabeth  Wright,  born  Feb.  13,  1831, 
died  April  12,  1832,  of  scarlatina. 

7.  Lura'  Ann  Wright,  born  May  28,  1833,  when  16 
years  old  united  by  profession  w'ith  the  Orthodox  Church 
in  Nelson,  Kev.  Gad  Newell.  She  removed  her  church 
relations  to  Clinton  at  the  time  of  her  father's  removal 
there.  She  taught  school  in  Holden.  In  1866  and  '67 
she  was  connected  witii  the  Freedman's  School  in  Wash- 
ington, being  in  charge  of  the  boarding  department. 


250         HENRY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

8.  Savina'  AYright,  born  June  8,  1835,  united  with 
the  church  in  Nelson,  with  her  sister,  Lura  x\nn.  She 
graduated  at  the  Framingham  Normal  School,  and 
taught  at  Lancaster  and  Gloucester  (Cape  Ann).  At  the 
time  of  the  capture  of  Vicksburg,  she  went  out  there 
and  taught  in  the  Freedmen's  schools  in  Vicksburg, 
Washington,  D.  C,  Alexandria,  and  Montgomery,  Ala. 
Returned  to  Clinton,  June,  1872,  and  in  September  es- 
tablished with  her  sister,  Lura  Ann,  a  genteel  boarding 
house. 

9.  Ellen  ^  Alletta  Wright,  born  Aug.  G,  1837, 
united  by  profession  with  the  Congregational  (Orthodox) 
Church  in  Clinton,  graduated  with  her  sister  Savina, 
and   taught  in   Waltham   two  or  three  years;    married 

Aug.  1,  ,  Henry  Francis  Morgan,  of  Philadelphia, 

by  whom  she  had  one  child,"  who  died  an  infant. 
She,  Ellen,  died  in  Camden,  N.  J.,  was  brought  to  Clin- 
ton and  buried.  Her  husband  married  again,  in  Glou- 
cester, N.  J. 

10.  George'  Henry  Wright,  born  June  25,  1810, 
died  Feb.  21,  1841. 

11.  Emma'  Hannah  Wright,  born  Sept.  17,  1843, 
united  with  the  Baptist  Church  in  Clinton  by  profession 
of  faith,  married  April  21,  1862,  Alonzo  Stedman  David- 
son, of  Clinton.  He  enlisted  a  private  in  Co.  G,  36th 
Mass.  Regt. ;  was  promoted  to  captain;  was  with  Gen. 
Burnside  in  Ninth  Corps;  w^as  in  many  battles,  but  es- 
caped unhurt.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  was  mustered 
out  at  Readville.  His  wife  visited  him  when  in  camp  at 
Annapolis,  and  staid  ten  days.  He  is  now  a  merchant 
at  Clinton.     They  had  four  children,  all  born  in  Clinton: 

(i)  Hattie®  Emma  Davidson,  born  April  23,  1863, 
died  Oct.  3,  same  year,  buried  at  Clinton. 

(ii)  Nella^  Lucretia  Davidson,  born  April  4,  1866. 
(iii)  Susie*  Salina  Davidson,  born  May  30,  1868. 
(iv)  Cora*  Lucilla  Davidson,  born  Aug.  1,  1871. 

vii.  Anna®  Wright,  Oliver  and  Martha^  D.,  Jason,* 
Henry, ^  Jona.,'^  Henry, ^)  the  seventh  child  of  Oliver  and 
Martha  (Dunster)  Wright,  born  July  9,  1707,  (July  8  in 


THE    GREENWOOD    FAMILY.  251 

Fiimily  Bible  at  William  P.  Wright's,)  married  Nov.  12, 
1<S16,  Cyrus  Greenwood,  of  Dublin,  N.  II.,  born  June  4, 
1792.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Congregational  Church 
in  Nelson.  They  lived  in  Nelson  about  two  years,  when 
they  removed  to  Winchester,  N.  H.,  where  he  carried 
on  the  wooden  ware  business.  She  died  Feb.  9,  1826, 
and  was  buried  at  Winchester.  Her  remains  were  dis- 
interred and  brought  to  Nashua  afterwards.  He  died  at 
Nashua,  N.  H.,  June  23,  1864,  was  buried  there.  They 
had  five  children: 

1.  Newell'  Greenwood,  {Cijrus,^ Oliver  Wright  and 
Martha^  D.,)  born  Dec.  10,  1817,  at  Nelson.  He  was 
named  for  Rev.  Gad  Newell,  the  pastor  of  Nelson  Church, 
and  is  their  only  son.  When  about  six  months  old,  his 
father  removed  to  Winchester.  He  married  Sept.  4, 
1839,  Elvira  Scott.  She  was  born  in  Vernon,  Vt.,  April 
19,  1814.  In  1845  he  Went  to  Lowell,  Mass.,  as  an  over- 
seer in  the  weave  room  of  the  Middlesex  Corporation. 
He  removed  to  Concord,  N.  H.,  1848,  and  thence  to 
Nashua,  N.  H.,  where  he  is  a  pattern  maker.  They  had 
three  children: 

(i)  Ayaline^  Lucinda  Greenwood,  born  March 
31,  1841,  at  Winchester,  died  at  Nashua,  Jan.  7,  1861, 
unmarried. 

(ii)  Mary*  Elvira  Greenwood,  born  March  14, 
1847,  at  Lowell,  and  now  (1872)  lives  at  her  father's,  in 
Nashua.     A  letter  from  her  father,  Aug.  18,  1875,  says: 

"In  the  first  place,  I  must  say  my  daughter,  Mary, 
was  married  Jan.  30,  1873,  to  Mr.  Charles  W.  Atwood, 
of  Nashua,  born  Sept.  7,  1841;  occupation  a  ))ainter; 
and  now,  I  am  hapi)y  to  state,  they  have  a  little  daugh- 
ter, who  wishes  to  be  remembered  to  you  as  another 
branch  of  the  Dunster  descendants." 

We  are  happy  to  add: 

(1)  Grace'  Edith  Atwood,  born  May  9,  1875,  at 
Nashua,  N.  H. 

(iii)  Cyrus^  Newell  Greenwood,  born  Aug.  22, 
1850,  at  Concord,  N.  H.,  is  their  only  son,  and  lives  at 
his  father's.     Is  a  machinist.     Unmarried. 


252         HENRY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

2.  Mary'  Ann  Greenwood,  born  Nov.  20,  1819, 
at  Winchester,  married  March  5,  1846,  John  B.  Knight, 
at  Nashua.  He  was  born  at  Hancock,  N.  H.,  Sept.  5, 
1821.     She  died  at  Nashua,  Jnly  9,  1852.     They  had: 

(i)  Charles^  Newell  Knight,  born  Dec.  22,  1846, 
died  Aug.  22,  1847,  at  Nashua. 

(ii)    Charles'*  A.   Knight,   born  June  9,    1852,  at  , 
Nashua,  and  died  there,  July  23,  1854. 

3.  Avaline'  Greenwood,  born  Nov.  9,  1821,  at 
Winchester,  married  at  Nashua,  Nov.  17,  1842,  Samuel 
Atherton,  born  at  Eichmond,  N.  H.,  March  26,  1812. 
They  had: 

(i)  Alice  ^  L.  Atherton,  born  at  Winchester,  May 
17,  1852,  died  there,  Sept.  5,  1869. 

4.  LuANA'  Greenwood,  born  Sept.  21,  1823,.  at 
Winchester,  married  Sept.  (18?)  25,  1845,  Henry  T. 
Chickeriug,  born  Jan.  9,  1822,  at  Concord,  N.  H.  She 
died  at  Concord,  July  3,  1849.     They  had: 

(i)  Adalade^  L.  ChickerinGj  born  at  Concord'. 
Sept.  22,  1846.  She  married  at  Concord,  Nov.  2,  1870', 
Frank  W.Greenwood,  born  at  Ludlow, Vt.,  Aug.  11,  1835. 

(ii)  Anna^  Wright  Chickering,  born  at  Concord, 
Feb.  10,  1849.     Unmarried. 

5.  Betsey'  Greenwood,  born  at  Winchester,  July 
26,  1825,  died  at  Nelson,  Aug.  23,  1826. 

viii.  Lucy**  Wright,  {Oliver  and  Martha^ D.,  Jason,^ 
Henry, ^  Jojia.,'^  Henry, ^)  born  Aug.  28,  1799,  was  the 
eighth  child  of  Oliver  and  Martha  (Dunster)  AVright. 
She  was  the  third  daughter.  She  married  June  1,  1824, 
Leonard  Bntterfield,  born  at  Dunstable,  N.  H.,  very 
near  Dunstable,  Mass.,  the  adjoining  town.  (The  sur- 
vey referred  to  on  p.  138,  cut  Dunstable  near  the  centre.) 
His  ancestors  were  all  named  "Leonard;"  and  three 
generations  of  them,  by  that  name,  lived  on  the  same 
farm,  and  died  in  the  same  room.  The  memoranda  of 
her  family  were  made  in  the  same  apartment.  Lucy  lived 
at  her  uncle's,  Isaac  Wright,  where  she  became  ac(|uain- 
ted  with    Mr.   Bntterfield.     Imitating  her  mother,  she 


TIIK    I5UTTERFIELD    FAMILY.  253 

24 

Avent  home  to  Xelsou  and  '/fixed  her  things,"  to  use  her 
own  expression,  but  it  took  lier  longer  (Ijecause.  doubt- 
less, she  hud  more  of  them).  After  staying  a  wliole 
year  at  Nelson,  she  was  married,  and.  immediately  went 
to  the  old  farm  in  Dunstable.  It  is  a  splendid  one,  lying 
in  the  valley  of  the  Merrimac  River,  and  near  Halmon 
Brook,  on  which  are  manufactories  to  some  extent.  Her 
husband  died  Nov.  2^,  1857.  She  carried  on  the  place 
for  eight  years  afterwards,  but  "was  glad  to  give  it  up. 
It  was  too  much  care  for  a  woman  of  my  years."  She 
was  then  GO  years  old.  Tiie  place  is  now  carried  on  by 
her  son,  Dexter,  who  is  constantly  improving  it.  They 
have  built  a  new  barn,  at  the  cost  of  near  S3000.  She 
is  now  (1875)  living  in  his  family,  with  much  comfort. 
In  the  family  wanderings,  she  had  become  lost  to  us, 
when  the  accidental  mention  of  her  name  by  a  gentle- 
man in  the  cars,  revived  the  remembrance  of  her,  and 
an  answer  to  a  letter  gave  notice  of  her  welfare  and  en- 
closed her  photograph.     They  had  five  children: 

1.  Leoxard'  Sylvester  Butterfield,  born  June 
6,  18'25.  He  married  Janette  Carruth,  n\  Lowell.  They 
live  in  Westford,  Mass.,  and  have  one  child,  a  boy,  of 
eighth  generation. 

2.  Martha'  Dunster  Butterfield,  born  Jan.  4, 
1832,  mar.  Aug.  21,  1856,  Adonijah  Woodbury  Howe, 
born  in  Jaffrey,  N.  H.,  Sept.  25,  1825.  He  was  the  only 
son  of  Luke  Howe,  M.  D.,  and  ]\Iary  (Woodbury),  oldest 
daughter  of  Peter  Woodbury,  of  Francestown,  X.  H. 
He  graduated  at  Dartmouth  College,  1850,  and  located 
as  a  physician  in  Dunstable,  1851.  They  live  in  West- 
ford,  and  have  had  ten  children,  all  except  one,  living: 

(i)     Woodbury,^  b.  May  12, 1857,  at  Dunstable,  Mass. 
(ii)    Hexry®  Dunster,  born  Sept.  6,  1858,  died  April 
C,  1860. 

(iii)  Mary  ^Elizabeth,  b.  Feb.  2,  1860,  at  Dunstable, 
(iv)  Edavard®  Dexter,  b.  Dec.  27, 1861,  at  Dunstable, 
(v)  Emma'  Isabel,  born  June  '^7,  1863,  at  Hollis. 
(vi)  Charles*  Luke,  born  Dec.  26,  1865,  at  Jaffrey. 
(vii)  Hellex*  Wright,  b.  Jan.  3,  1868,  at  Dunstable. 


254         HENKY    DUNSTER    AND    HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

24 

(viii)  Fannie*  Louisa,  b.  June  11, 1870,  at  Dunstable, 
(ix)  Frederic «  Wm.,  b.  Sept.  30, 1872,  at  Westford. 
(x)     Son,*  born  June  5,  1875,  at  South  Lancaster. 

3.  Henry'  Butterfield,  the  third  child  of  Leon- 
ard and  Lucy  (Wright)  Butterfield,  died  in  infancy. 

4.  George  ■^  Butterfield,  born  March  8,  1839, 
worked  at  the  Lawrence  Mills,  Lowell,  several  years; 
married  Oct.,  1844,  Mary  E.  Taylor,  born  at  Dunstable. 
They  live  in  Westford,  and  have: 

(i)  Emma*  G-race  Butterfield,  born  Feb.  6,  1869. 
(ii)  Lucy*  Ardana  Butterfield,  bornFeb.13, 1871. 
(iii)  Ida*  Rachel  Butterfield,  born  April  26,  1875. 

5.  Dexter'  Butterfield,  born  March  15,  1842, 
assisted  his  mother  on  the  farm  after  his  father  died. 
He  enlisted  in  Co.  A,  2d  Mass.  Eegt.  Vols.,  1860;  was 
in  the  battle  at  Gettysburg,  and  at  the  taking  of  Atlanta; 
was  sergeant  when  mustered  out,  Oct.  14,  1864.  He 
married  Dec.  7,  1865,  Georgiana  Kenny,  of  Leominster, 
Mass.  She  was  on  a  visit  to  her  grand-parents,  in  Dun- 
stable, and  unexpectedly,  a  short  time  after,  made  that 
her  future  home.  They  live  at  the  old  mansion.  They 
have  for  their  first  a  pair  of  twins,  born  Oct.  13,  1870: 

(i)     Arthur*  Dexter  Butterfield. 
(ii)    Alice*  Louisa  Butterfield. 

X.  Myra"  Wright,  (written  in  some  records  "Mira") 
was  the  tenth  and  youngest  child  of  Oliver  and  Martha^ 
(Dunster)  Wright,  born  Dec.  30,  1802,  at  Xelson.  She 
married  at  Nelson,  Dec.  31,  1834,  Edwin  Jewell,  born 
at  Winchester,  N.  H.,  April  22,  1809.  He  was  second 
cousin  to  Gov.  Jewell,  of  Connecticut.  He  was  a  wool 
carder  by  trade.  In  April,  1838,  he  lost  his  right  arm 
by  liaving  it  caught  in  the  machinery  at  the  factory  at 
liarrisville,  where  he  was  employed  at  the  time.  It  was 
amputated  just  below  the  elbow.  His  general  health 
suffered  from  it,  but  he  was  able  to  follow  his  trade  until 
a  short  time  before  his  death.  Myra"  died  at  Hinsdale, 
Oct.,  1848,  (Oct.  7,  1849,  Abiel  Wrif/Jif's  Eocord).  Her 
husband  married  a  second  time,  and  died  Sejit.  8,  1850; 
both  l)uried  at  Winchester.     They  had  four  children: 


THE    JEWELL   FAMILY.  255 

24 

1.  GusTAVUs'  Elbridge  Jewell,  born  Dec.  30, 
1835,  died  July  11,  1838,  at  Winchester,  buried  there. 

2.  Sarah''  Adaline  Jewell,  born  Oct.  21,  1836, 
died  at  Winchester,  April  5,  1837,  buried  there. 

3.  Elbridge'  Elexes  Jewell,  born  May  17,  1838. 

4.  GusTAVUs'  Duxster  Jewell,  born  April  27, 
1840,  died  Aug.  9,  1847,  buried  at  Harrisville. 

3.  Elbridge''  Elexes  Jewell,  {Edwin  and  Myra,^ 
Oliver  and  Martha^  Dunster,  Jason,*' Henry, ^  Jonathan,'^ 
Henry, ^)  was  born  May  17,  1838,  at  Harrisville,  and  is 
the  only  one  of  Myra's  children  now  living.  He  gave 
the  information  of  this  family.  In  a  letter,  March  16, 
1872,  he  says:  "My  brother,  Gustavus  Dunster,  lived 
to  be  about  eight  years  old,  and  until  the  receipt  of  your 
letter,  to-night,  I  had  not  the  faintest  idea  where  his 
name  came  from;  and  am  glad  that  I  can  now  claim 
some  relationship  to  some  one  on  mother's  side.  Mother 
died  in  October,  1848.  Father  married  again;  and,  as 
is  often  the  case,  my  step-mother's  views  did  not  fully 
coincide  with  mine.  Father  died  Sept.  8,  1857.  The 
widow  kept  most  of  the  property,  except  a  few  things  I 
bought  at  auction.  When  she  died  I  was  in  the  army, 
and  her  effects  were  sold  by  her  brother,  so  that  I  have 
nothing  in  the  shape  of  records,  not  even  the  Famih^ 
Bible.  That  was  sold,  and  I  have  never  been  able  to  get 
any  trace  of  it. 

''As  for  me,  I  have  taken  care  of  myself  most  of  the 
time  since  mother  died.  [He  was  then  ten  years  old. 
S.  D.]  When  the  rebellion  broke  out  I  was  one  of  the 
first  to  volunteer.  Enlisted  April,  1861,  in  Co.  A,  2d 
Regt.  N.  H.  Vols.  We  went  to  Washington,  and  before 
we  were  half  drilled  or  armed,  were  'On  to  Riclimond!' 
via  Bull  Run.  Of  this  you  have  as  good  a  general  his- 
tory as  I  could  give  you.  I  was  taken  violently  ill  with 
congestion  of  the  lungs,  and  discharged  in  August,  1861. 
I  went  home  and  after  a  long  illness  recovered,  and  tried 
to  enlist  again,  but  was  refused;  but  in  the  draft  of  '63 
was  accepted,  and  went  in  Co.  F,  5th  N.  H.  Vols.  Saw 
no  action  at  all  this  time.  We  were  stationed  at  Point 
Lookout,  Maryland,  for  more  than  a  year,  guarding  rebel 
33 


256         HENRY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS    DESCEXDANTS. 

24-25 

prisoners.  "While  there,  was  taken  ill  again  with  the 
old  lung  trouble.  After  a  long  siege  in  hospital,  was 
discharged,  and  came  here  on  trial  for  three  months. 
That  was  nine  years  ago,  11th  Nov.,  1872." 

The  place  he  referred  to  was  a  situation  as  steward  in 
Dr.  Barstow's  Private  Asylum  for  the  Insane — Sanford 
Hall — at  Flushing,  Long  Island,  where  he  still  remains. 

He  married  Jan.  — ,  1867,  Emma  M.  Thomas,  of  West 
Boylston,  Mass.  "  She  is  a  descendant  on  the  father's 
side  from  Eobert  B.  Thomas,  of  almanac  fame."  Her 
father  was  Aaron  M.  Thomas,  who  died  the  same  day 
she  was  born,  June  28,  1840.  Her  mother  died  Dec. 
31,  1846. 

"I  am  said  to  resemble  mother  more  than  father.  I 
enclose  a  photograph  of  myself  and  little  girl,  so  that 
you  may  judge  what  manner  of  man  your  cousin  may 
be.  Will  only  add  that  I  am  six  feet  three  inches  in  my 
stockings." 

The  photographs  came  safe;  also  one  of  his  mother 
subsequently. 

They  have  one  child: 

(i)     Susie  ^  Ejvima  Jewell,  born  Oct.  29,  1868. 

25»  vi.  iQkixn^ 'D'C^^T'E^,  {Jason, ^  Henry, ^  Jona.,'^ 
Henry, '^)  was  born  in  Cambridge  Second  Precinct  (West 
Cambridge),  April  10,  baptized  April  12,  1761,  by  Rev. 
Samuel  Cooke.  There  is  no  reasonable  doubt  that  he 
went  to  Mason  at  the  time  his  father  moved  there,  1769. 
We  can  find  no  certain  trace  of  him  in  the  records  of 
that  town.  In  the  office  of  Secretary  of  State  at  Con- 
cord, ]^.  H.,  Hon.  J.  B.  Hill,  the  historian  of  Mason, 
finds  his  name  as  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  Avar. 
We  tliink  that  he  was  that  person  for  whom  "Jos.  Her- 
rick  was  paid  £56  8s.  for  two  and  a  half  bushels  of  rye 
delivered  Jason  Dunster,  for  part  of  his  son's  hire  for 
six  months  service  in  the  year  1781."  In  that  year  he 
was  20  years  old,  and  a  suitable  person  to  enlist  in  such 
service.'  In  1782  his  father  was  paid  £1  15s.  Od.  Iqr., 
L.  M.,  "^ for  his  son's  hire."  We  have  seen  that  it  was 
improbable  that  it  was  Henry,  his  brother.     Jason,  his 


ISAIAH^    DUNSTER.  257 

25 

next  younger  brother,  was  at  that  time  in  the  Regular 
Continental  Army,  for  whose  pay  the  town  of  ]\Iason 
never  assumed  the  responsibility.  Plis  youngest  brother, 
Samuel,  was  but  14  years  old,  and  no  evidence  or  tradi- 
tion exists  of  his  having  been  in  the  service.  Isaiali  was 
never  taxed  in  Mason.  The  presumption  is  strong  that 
as  soon  as  he  was  of  age  (21),  he  left  Mason  to  find  em- 
ployment, as  many  did  then  and  have  since,  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Boston.  It  is  certain  that  he  lived  in 
Eoxbury  all  his  married  life. 

He  owned  or  built  the  hotel  called  the  *'  Punch  Bowl," 
between  Dedham  and  Boston,  at  the  junction  of  the 
turnpike  with  the  old  road.  In  addition  to  the  hotel 
business  he  cultivated  a  farm,  and  did  wagon  marketing 
steadily  at  Boston.  He  accumulated  a  good  property 
there.  He  is  remembered  as  a  well-dressed,  somewhat 
portly,  and  very  genial  gentleman,  who  could  well  enjoy 
a  joke.  With  his  brother,  and  their  wives,  neither  of 
whom  ever  had  any  children,  he  used  occasionally  to 
visit  their  relatives  in  Xew  Hampshire.  On  one  of  these 
happy  seasons,  his  brother  gave  to  one  of  the  little  flaxen 
haired  children  a  half  pistereen.  Seeing  this  he  took 
from  the  loose  change  in  his  pocket  a  whole  one,  and 
holding  it  up,  said,  "  Xow,  my  lad,  which  of  these  would 
you  rather  have?"  The  boy  .had  sagacity  enough  to 
choose  the  larger  coin.  Giving  up  the  other,  and  not 
then  comprehending  the  power  of  plus  and  minus,  and 
amazed  at  such  generosity,  he  ran  to  his  mother  to  show 
her  what  a  large  piece  of  money  "Uncle  Isaiah"  had 
given  him,  while  the  uncle  for  whom  he  was  named  had 
only  given  him  a  little  one. 

The  records  of  Roxbury  would  probably  give  many 
items  of  his  history.  Want  of  opportunity,  and  the  fact 
that  he  left  no  posterity  to  be  interested  in  his  life,  must 
be  the  apology  for  this  limited  account  of  him. 

He  married,  in  Roxbury, ,  Mary  Davis,  born  June 

23, 1771,  daughter  of  Deacon  Xoah  and  Elizabeth  (Weld) 
Davis,  wdio  lived  about  half  a  mile  distant.  Her  nuptial 
ring,  when  new,  inlaid  with  hair  work  and  engraved  M. 
D.,  was  given  to  his  niece,  Mary"  (Dunster)  Kimball, 
and  by  her  to  her  youngest  daughter,  Abby'  (Kimball) 


258        HENRY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

25-26 

Lynch.  The  date  of  his  marriage  is  not  known.  He 
died  in  1815,  at  Roxbnry,  and  was  interred  there.  He 
left  the  larger  part  of  his  property  to  his  widow,  although 
it  is  understood  that  he  was  very  generous  to  the  sons  of 
his  sister,  Rebecca  Swallow,  one  of  whom  was  employed 
in  marketing  for  him.  His  widow  died  July  4,  1833. 
They  never  had  any  children. 

26.  vii.  ^A^ois^Tixj'SBi^^,  {Jason,*  Henry, ^  Jona.,'^ 
Henry, ^)  the  seventh  child  of  Jason*  and  Rebecca  (Cut- 
ter) Dunster  was  born  at  Cambridge  (now  Arlington), 
March  27,  baptized  April  3, 1763,  by  Rev.  Samuel  Cooke. 
It  is  very  jDrobable  that  his  father  brought  him  to  Mason 
in  17G9.  Xo  evidence  is  found  of  his  being  there  until 
after  the  Revolutionary  war.  There  is  a  well  founded 
tradition  that  he  was  "bound  out"  to  a  man  in  Lexing- 
ton, Littleton  or  Groton.  His  widow,  in  1852,  stated 
this  to  be  so.  Her  memory  was  at  that  time  truly  won- 
derful, although  she  was  then  84  3^eaTS  old.  It  is  hardly 
credible  that  when  he  was  only  six  years  old  such  a  dis- 
position was  made  of  him.  This  making  a  "  chattel "  of 
ones  own  children,  though  very  common  in  Massachu- 
setts then,  did  not  usually  take  place  till  the  age  of  about 
ten  or  twelve.  Whatever  may  have  been  his  legal  condi- 
tion, it  is  certain  that  he  lived  there,  and  that  the  person 
to  Avhom  he  was  given  or  hound  out  consented  to  his  en- 
listing in  the  Continental  Army.  The  papers,  executed 
in  1818,  to  obtain  a  Revolutionary  pension  are  official 
and  copied: 

"I,  Jason  Dunster,  of  the  town  of  Mason,  in  the 
county  of  Hillsboro,  N.  H.,  a  Resident  Citizen  of  the 
U.  S.,  Husbandman,  now  in  the  fifty-sixth  year  of  my 
age,  do  Solemnly  Swear  that  sometime  in  the  month  of 
March,  A.  D.  1781,  I  was  enlisted  a  private  soldier  in 
the  Continental  establishment  in  the  Revolutionary  war 
for  the  term  of  three  years,  and  joined  my  company  (the 
3d),  commanded  by  Capt.  John  Hastings,  in  the  ninth 
Regt.  of  the  Massachusetts  line,  commanded  by  Col. 
Henry  Jackson,  in  the  month  of  July  of  the  same  year, 
at  a  place  called  White  Plains,  having  previously  served 
better  then  three  months  after  my  enlistment  at  Boston, 


JASOX^    DUNSTER.  259 

26 

under  a  Capt.  of  Engineers,  whose  name  I  do  not  recol- 
lect; which  term  of  three  years  1  faithfully  served  until 
I  was  discharged  after  the  peace,  which  discharge  is 
herewith  exhibited,  and  in  the  words  following,  viz: 

"■  By  the  Hon.  Major  General  Knox,  commanding  the 
American  forces  on  the  Hudson  River.  Jason  Dunster, 
Soldier  in  the  fourth  Massachusetts  Reg,,  being  enlisted 
for  three  years,  is  hereby  Honorably  Discharged  from 
the  service  of  the  TTnited  States. 

"  Given  in  the  State  of  Kew  York,  the  31st  of  Decem- 
ber, 1783.  By  the  Gen'l  Command. 

J.  Kxox,  M.   Gen'l. 

"Registered  in  the  Books  of  the  Regiment. 

Thos.  H.  Condy,  Adj't.,  P.  S." 

"  I  further  state  that  I  have  never  been  on  the  Pension 
list  of  Invalids.  I  have  a  small  farm,  but  am  embar- 
rassed with  debts  and  am  reduced  in  my  circumstances, 
and  think  I  need  the  assistance  of  my  country  for  my 
support.  In  the  year  1780  I  served  six  months  in  Capt. 
Manfield's  Co.,  in  Col.  Bailey's  Regt. ,  in  the  Mass.  Line 
in  the  Continental  establisment  at  ^Yest  Point,  and  in 
the  Jerseys,  so  called.  Jasox  Duxster. 

.     ''Sworn  to  this  15th  day  of  April,  A.  D.  1818.    Before 
me.  J.  K.  Smith,  Associate  Justice 

of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas." 

The  court  omitted  from  his  statement  some  facts  not 
necessary  to  procure  the  pension,  but  which  rightfully 
belong  to  his  revolutionary  history.  He  enlisted  in 
April,  1780,  for  six  months,  was  mustered  in  at  Con- 
cord, Mass.,  and  did  duty  in  Boston  until  his  enlistment 
into  the  three  years'  service.  When  dismissed  from  the 
six  months'  service  for  that  purpose,  he  received  no  pay 
or  clothing.  When  the  Massachusetts  regiments  were 
reduced  he  was  transferred  to  the  regiment  commanded 
by  Col.  Brooks,  Capt.  Lincoln  and  MaJ.  William  Hull. 
The  regiments  were  again  reduced,  and  he  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  4th  Mass.  Regiment,  from  which  he  was 
discharged,  as  stated  above.  When  Lord  Cornwallis 
surrendered,  1781,  he  was  in  the  Northern  Department 
*23 


3G0        HEXRY   DUXSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

26 

of  the  army,  under  Gen.  Heath.  With  the  army  he  had 
the  small-pox,  in  the  winter  of  their  encampment  at 
Valley  Forge. 

Many  are  the  stories  he  used  to  tell  about  the  march 
through  the  "Jerseys,"  and  the  daring  exploits  with 
the  marauders  about  the  Hudson,  who  were  designated 
"Cow  Boys."  They  were  a  horde  of  "Tories,"  com- 
manded by  Col.  Delancy,  who  made  their  stronghold  at 
Morrisania,  and  scoured  the  fertile  valleys  of  the  Hud-_ 
son,  sweeping  off  forage  and  cattle  for  the  British  Army 
in  ]^ew  York.  He  was  discharged  from  the  army  at 
"Pickskill  Hiths"  (Peekskill  Heights),  New  York." 

His  application  for  a  pension  was  accompanied  by  a 
schedule  of  his  property,  appraised  by  Joseph  Sanders 
and  Dr.  Willis  Johnson,  in  which  is  noted  a  pew  in 
Mason  Meeting  House,  and  horse  stable  standing  near 
by,  valued  at  $33  for  both. 

This  application  for  pension  was  unsuccessful.  He 
was  deemed  by  those  who  held  the  puj.'se  strings  of 
"Unc'e  Sam"  at  that  time,  and  who  were  careful  of 
his  "change,"  to  have  too  much  property  to  be  in  "  In- 
digent circumstances  and  need  the  assistance  of  their 
country  for  their  support,"  which  the  law  required. 
There  is  abundant  evidence,  however,  that  he  had 
"pretty  hard  scratching,"  as  they  say  in  New  Hamp- 
shire, to  keep  along,  and  certainly  could  not  educate  his 
family  so  well  as  he  desired.  After  about  two  years  the 
law  was  altered  so  as  to  be  less  equivocal,  and  he  received 
a  pension  for  the  rest  of  his  life;  and  his  widow,  also,  by 
a  more  generous  law,  received  a  like  pension  during  her 
life,  to  which  in  her  old  age  she  often  referred  as  a 
means  of  comfort. 

When  he  was  discharged,  liis  pay  was  in  "  Continental 
money,"  a  specimen  bill  of  which  (1(30.00)  he  kept  till 
his  death,  often  dryly  remarking  that  when  he  came 
back  from  the  army  he  could  not  get  a  breakfast  for  it, 
else  he  should  have  spent  it.  That  bill  safely  reposes 
among  other  ancestral  mementos. 

"Congress  engaged  to  make  good  to  the  Continental 
jind  independent  troops   the   difference  in  the  value  of 


JASON  ^   DUNSTEH.  2G1 

26 

their  pay  caused  by  this  depreciation."     {Irvitufs.  Life 
Washington,  Vol.  ic,  p.  37.) 

It  is  not  amiss  here,  to  inquire  liow  poor  a  man  must 
have  been  to  get  that  pension.  Happily  the  means  are 
not  wanting.  At  tlie  time  of  trying  to  obtain  liis  own, 
he  also  tried  to  get  a  pension  for  Jonathan  Foster,  who 
then  lived  in  his  house.  The  inventory  of  Foster's  es- 
tate, appraised  by  the  same  Joseph  Sanders  and  Willis 
Johnson,  was  this: 

"  He  has  no  real  estate,  but  lias  been  a  Town  Pauper 
for  a  number  of  years.  He  is  at  present  Boarding  him- 
self, by  the  consent  of  the  Town,  living  with  Mr.  Jason 
Dunster. 

PERSONAL  ESTATE. 

Farming  utensils 82  00 

Hollow  ware 1  00 

1  pine  table 25 

•4  old  chairs   25 

Crockery  ware 75 

U  25 

Jos.  Sanders,       I  Amiraisor^  " 
Willis  Johnson,  f  ^PPaisci.. 

Even  this  did  Jiot  satisfy  some  of  the  quibbling  law- 
yers. They  reasoned  thus:  "Jonathan  Foster  is  a 
pauper  of  the  town  of  Mason.  The  town  of  Mason  is 
not  in  '  indigent  circumstances ;'  therefore  Jonathan 
Foster  is  not  in  indigent  circumstances." 

The  papers  were  sent  to  Washington,  and  John  C. 
Calhoun,  who  was  then  Secretary  of  War,  (whatever  may 
have  been  his  notions  of  sociology,  and  who  was  never 
suspected  of  selling  offices,)  saw  at  once  the  fallacy,  and 
immediately  sent  him  the  certiticate. 

'•  War  Department.      Revolutionary  Claim. 

I  Certify  that,  in  conformity  with  the  Law  of  the 
United  States  of  March  18,  1818,  Jonathan  Foster,  late 
a  private  in  the  Army  of  the  Revolution,  is  inscribed  on 
the  Pension  List  Roll  of  the  New  Hampshire  Agency  at 


2G2         HENEY    DUNSTER   AXD   HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

20 

the  rate  of  eight  dollars  per  month,  to  commence  on  the 
Jst  day  of  May,  1818.  Given  at  the  War  Office  of  the 
United  States,  this  5th  day  of  October,  1819. 

J.  C.  Calhoun,  Sec.  War." 

Mr.  D.  usually  collected  Foster's  pension  and  kept  his 
papers,  which  are  found  among  his  own. 

After  the  disbanding  of  the  army,  Jason  Dunster  re- 
turned to  Lexington,  Mass.  In  1786  he  was  taxed  for 
the  first  time  in  Mason.  He  was  then  33  years  old.  In 
that  year  he  bouglit  of  Charles  Barrett  a  lot  of  land  in 
Hancock,  N.  H.,  near  liis  brother-in  law,  Oliver  Wright. 
In  1800  he  bought  of  Joseph  Meriam,  his  wife's  father, 
lot  No.  10,  in  the  18th  range  of  the  town  of  Mason. 
This  lot  of  land  had  been  bought  of  Benj.  Knowlton, 
May  1,  1792,  by  Mr.  Meriam,  a  few  months  before  the 
marriage  of  his  daughter,  Polly,  to  Jason  Dunster,  and 
they  lived  on  it  from  that  marriage  till  their  death.  In 
1818,  the  widow  of  Knowlton,  who  had  not  signed  the 
deed  through  neglect  of  the  jnirchaser,  made  a  claim  for 
dowry.  This  gave  great  annoyance  to  him  and  the  fam- 
ily whom  they  had  raised  on  the  farm,  and  cost  him 
almost  as  much  as  he  paid  for  the  whole.  The  thirds 
were  set  off  by  metes  and  bounds,  which  she  did  not  ex- 
pect or  desire;  but  it  produced  a  settlement,  although  at 
great  cost.  It  is  understood,  however,  that  his  father- 
in-law  assisted  him  much  in  this  trouble. 

He  owned  several  other  tracts  of  land  in  the  vicinity, 
most  of  which  was  woodland,  which  he  cleared  for  lum- 
ber and  cord  wood,  the  best  of  which  then  brought  $1.50 
to  12.00  a  cord,  and  the  best  of  hard  wood  lumber  11.00 
per  M.  In  181G  he  and  his  son,  Jason,  bought  one 
undivided  third  part  of  the  saw  and  grist  mills  at  the 

Note. — Jonathan  Foster  died  in  Ashby,  March  31,  1821,  aged 
more  than  100  years.  For  near  forty  years  he  was  supported  by 
the  town.  "  He  had  an  inveterate  antipathy  to  work  of  all  kinds, 
but  was  fond  of  hunting.  He  would  imitate  on  all  fours  the  run- 
ning and  leaping  of  a  bear.  Hence  his  cognomen,  '  Old  Bear' 
Foster."    (Mason  Ce?i.,  1868,  p.  22.) 

He  had  a  son  who  also  lived  at  Dunster's  house.  His  wife  was 
almost  a  "  giantess,"  if  such  a  word  exists.  She  could  lift  a  bar- 
rel of  cider,  and,  holding  it  on  her  knees,  drink  from  the  bunghole. 


JASON*   DUNSTER.  263 

26 

Upper  Falls  on  the  Souhegan  River,  a  quarter  of  a  mile 
from  his  residence.  This  mill  privilege  was  the  first  in 
Mason,  and  the  nucleus  around  which  the  village  in  that 
town  was  built.  It  was  at  first  called  Barrett's  Mills, 
then  Dakin's  Mills,  then  Mason  Harbor.  About  1812 
the  name  was  formally  altered,  when  a  liberty  i)ole  was 
erected  on  a  prominent  knoll,  to  which  a  signboard  was 
nailed,  lettered  "Souhegan  Village,"  and  a  bottle  of  New 
England  rum  thrown  at  it  by  Bill  Russell,  the  architect. 
It  missed  the  mark,  but  a  second  attempt  was  more  suc- 
cessful, and  the  name  was  instantly  changed,  amid  a 
volley  of  small  arms,  patriotic  toasts,  and  plenty  of  Med- 
ford  rum.  "  Souhegan  Village,"  however,  did  not  last 
long.  There  was  a  village  at  the  mouth  of  that  river  by 
the  same  name.  They  objected  to  the  assumption,  and 
the  younger  sister  was  quietly  named  "  Mason  Village." 
This  name  she  bore  with  dignity  till  1872,  when  an 
"unpleasantness"  in  town  matters  occurred,  and  the 
village  made  a  successful  secession  and  came  out  "Green- 
ville." We  are  sorry  to  say  that  the  good  old  town  just 
past  her  centennial  became  estranged,  and  hope  yet  to 
see  a  reunion  under  the  old  flag. 

This  mill  privilege  commanded  the  water  of  the  whole 
river,  although  the  lot  was  small,  and  bounded  on  the 
east  "by  the  stone  wall  on  tiie  line  of  Timothy  Dakin's 
hog  pasture."  It  is  now  occupied  by  the  Columbian 
Factories,  a  very  large  and  successful  corporation;  and 
we  can  assure  our  friends  that  the  recent  name  of  that 
village,  whatever  may  have  been  its  origin,  has  no  refer- 
ence to  the  colloquial  use  of  that  word  as  sometimes 
applied  to  people. 

Jason ^  Dunster  did  a  great  amount  of  town  business  ; 
was  Selectman  for  three  years  in  succession,  looked  after 
the  poor  of  the  town,  &c.  With  his  old  papers  is  a  bill 
against  the  Factory  Company  in  New  Ipswich  for  the 
labor  of  Susannah  Zwears,  one  of  the  poor  of  the  town, 
for  five  months  in  the  factory  at  ten  cents  a  day,  which 
Avas  paid  promptly.  She  was  then  woman  grown,  and 
the  town  made  a  profit  on  her  labor.  The  town  also 
through  him  as  their  agent,  "bound  out"  two  of  widow 
Fish's  daughters  till  they  were  eighteen  years  old.     At 


2G4        HENRY    DUNSTER   AND   HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

26 

the  time  of  the  small-pox  in  that  town,  he  had  most  of 
the  personal  superintendence  of  the  disease,  for  which 
liis  army  vaccination  had  prepared  him. 

In  1831  the  village  was  established  as  a  separate  school 
district,  and  many  plans  for  building  a  school  house  were 
proposed.  Among  the  rest,  he  suggested  that  it  be  done 
by  subscription.  The  plan  was  rather  jocularly  received, 
])articularly  so  by  Deacon  Dakin,  between  whom  and 
himself  an  opportunity  for  banter  was  never  missed. 
The  Deacon,,  turning  to  him,  said,  ""Well,  Dunster,  I 
will  give  as  much  as  you  will."  Dunster  instantly  re- 
plied, "  I  will  give  one  half  of  the  whole  cost.  Now, 
Deacon,  don't  back  out."  The  Deacon  was  not  the  man 
to  do  that.  The  district  immediately  took  measures  to 
legalize  the  offer,  and  voted  plans  to  work  by,  bought 
the  lot,  and  chose  a  committee  to  inspect  the  work. 
Deacon  Dakin  gave  a  bond  to  pay  his  half  to  Dunster. 
He  gave  the  district  a  bond  to  do  the  whole.  In  these 
bonds  they  are  styled  "Benefactors."  A  splendid  (for 
that  day)  brick  school  house  was  built,  and  in  it  was 
learned  the  rudiments  of  science  so  useful  to  our  after 
life.  The  original  papers  of  this  "  Benefaction  "  are  in 
good  preservation  and  filed  away  for  his  descendants. 

His  early  entry  into  the  army  taught  him  more  of  the 
world  than  literary  accomplishments.  His  handwriting 
and  orthography  would  almost  defy  Champolion,  but  his 
memory  supplied  the  defect.  In  his  later  days  his  men- 
tal powers  were  somewhat  impaired.  They  were  always 
eccentric.  He  died  March  21,  1828,  aged  05,  was  buried 
at  Mason  Centre,  in  the  Dunster  group,  and  a  suitable 
stone  placed  over  his  grave  by  his  widow. 

He  married  at  Mason,  April  18,  1793,  Mary  (Polly  in 
many  records)  Meriam.  She  was  daua-hter  of  Joseph 
and  Mary  (Brooks)  Meriam,*  and  born  Oct.  28,  17G8,  at 
Concord,  Mass.     She  was  an  early  member  of  the  Mason 

*  MasorrvN^as  classed  with  Brookline  (then  RabjO  tor  representa- 
tion at  the  General  Court.  "  At  a  legal  meeting  held  at  the  pub- 
lic meeting  house  in  Mason,  December  ye  11th,  1775, 

"Voted,  that  those  men  that  sent  their  votes  by  Joseph  Mer- 
riam  to  the  Moderator  of  said  meeting  have  the  privilege  of  putting 
in  their  votes  for  the  choice  of  the  above  said  representative. 


JASON  ^    DUNSTER.  265 

26 

Congregatioiiiil  Orthodox  Church,  and  at  the  time  of  her 
death  the  only  member  (except  perhajis  one)  who  belong- 
ed to  that  church  when  Kev.  Mr.  Hill  was  settled,  1790. 

Hon.  John  B.  Hill  sent  us  the  original  certificate  of 
their  publishment,  which  he  found  among  the  papers  of 
his  father  (Rev.  E.  Hill).     It  is  copied  verbatim: 

"  Tit  is  mail  Gertify  that  Jason  Dunster  Ju\  <f-  Polly 
3feriain  both  of  Mason  have  been  Piiblished  for  marriage 
in  the  Town  of  Mason  aforesaid  as  the  Law  Directs 

Jan".  28'"  1793. Joseph  Barrett  Town  Clark.'' 

She  was  a  woman  of  kind  and  candid  disposition,  and 
it  is  believed  that  no  one  ever  saw  her  out  of  temper. 
AVhen  over  80  years  old  she  fell  and  broke  her  thigh. 

namely:  Obadiah  Parker,  Joseph  Ball,  .Jonas  Faj^  Abel  Shed, 
Tiiomas  Robbins,  Nathan  Wheeler,  Seth  Robbins,  John  Law- 
rence." 

These  were  among  the  "  first  families  "  in  Mason.  At  the  same 
meeting  (perhaps  they  had  heard  from  Rab}'), 

"Voted,  that  James  Scripture  and  William  and  Elias  Eliot 
have  the  liberty  of  putting  in  a  vote  for  their  fathers,  their  fathers 
being  absent,  whose  votes  were  wrote  after  the  meeting  began." 

"  Voted,  that  the  aforesaid  Obadiah  Parker,  .Joseph  Ball,  Jonas 
Fay,  Abel  Shed,  Thomas  Robbins,  Nathan  Wheeler,  Seth  Rob- 
bins, John  Lawrence,  have  their  votes  thrown  out." 

A  difi[iculty  followed,  and  March  7,  1776,  the  town  voted  "to 
send  Joseph  Barrett  to  present  the  proceedings  of  the  town  meet- 
ing, held  Dec.  ye  11th,  1775,  to  the  General  Court,  which  the 
town  look  upon  it  that  it  was  not  conducted  according  to  Liberty 
and  Justice;  and  that  if  the  Hon'ble  Court  do  not  approve  of  the 
proceedings  of  the  town  meeting,  that  the  above  said  Joseph  Bar- 
rett pray  the  General  Court  to  set  them  in  some  waj'  agreeable  to 
their  pleasure  for  to  have  the  privilege  of  representation."  {His. 
of  Mason.) 

We  are  not  advised  of  the  result  of  this  commission,  and  are 
interested  only  in  the  question :  Does  historj'  repeat  itself?  What- 
ever it  maj"  have  been,  "  Grandfather  Merriam  "  did  not  suffer  in 
reputation,  for  as  soon  as  Raby  was  out  of  the  union  and  Mason 
got  big  enough  to  send  a  representative  of  her  own,  he  was  the 
first  one  chosen,  and  the  historian  of  that  town  says  of  him: 
"  No  citizen  of  Mason  was  ever  more  worthy  of  this  mark  of  the 
confidence  of  his  townsmen." 


266        HENRY    DUNSTER   AND   HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

26 

From  this  she  never  recovered  so  as  to  walk,  but  could 
get  about  the  room  in  her  chair  with  castors  on  it  till 
near  her  death.  Eev.  Mr.  Austin  preached  her  funeral 
sermon,  from  which  a  few  remarks  are  copied: 

"For  more  than  three-score  and  ten  years  was  the 
church  of  Christ  on  earth  blessed  with  her  fellowship 
and  prayers. 

"While  this  event  is  her  gain  it  is  our  loss.  Several 
years  since  she  received  a  fall  by  which  she  was  entirely 
disabled  from  walking.  Until  that  time  her  place  was 
promptly  and  punctually  filled  in  the  sanctuary.  She 
loved  to  meet  with  the  prayerful  in  social  meeting.  Her 
place  was  often  filled  when  others  nearer  the  house  of 
God  and  younger  in  years  would  find  excuse  for  absence. 
When  she  worshipped  at  the  centre  of  the  town  it  was 
her  custom  to  walk  [three  miles]. 

"She  also  willed  [deeded]  to  this  church  and  society 
her  pew  here,  that  by  it  she  might  contribute  to  the  sup- 
port of  the  gospel  after  her  death. 

"In  her  last  days  her  affections  were  manifested  with 
the  sweetness  and  simplicity  of  childhood.  In  my  last 
interview  she  grasped  my  hand  with  earnestness,  and 
when  told  I  would  call  again,  she  replied,  'Yes,  if  I 
should  live  so  that  you  can  see  me  again.'  The  next 
time  I  called  it  was  to  give  the  last  look  to  the  dead. 
She  departed  without  a  groan  or  struggle,  in  the  90th 
year  of  her  age." 

The  funeral  services  were  at  Mason  Village.  From 
there  she  was  buried  at  Mason  Centre,  and  placed  beside 
her  husband,  which  she  had  repeatedly  requested,  and  a 
stone  similar  to  his,  which  she  also  desired,  is  erected 
with  the  inscription: 

"Mary  Meriam,  widow  of  Jason  Dunster,  born  Oct. 
28,  1768,  died  May  5,  1858,  aged  89  years,  6  months,  7 
days.     Mother,  thou  art  gone  to  the  grave." 

She  made  no  will,  but  often  said  that  she  wished  her 
property  divided  equally  to  her  living  children,  and  the 
children  of  those  deceased;  and  always  added,  "Don't 
disagree  about  it."     We  are  happy  to  state  that  her  dying 


281 

29%. 

ii. 

30%. 

iii. 

311 

iv. 

321 

T. 

THE    DUNSTER    FAMILY.  267 

26-27 

request  was  fully  find  literally  carried  out,  and  a  record 
made  of  that  fact  in  Ilillsboro  Proljate  Records.  Her 
real  estate  was  sold  to  her  eldest  daughter's  husband, 
who  had  lived  on  the  place  and  owned  the  other  two- 
thirds,  and  her  personal  property  is  with  her  heirs  exactly 
as  she  desired. 

They  had  seven  children,  all  born  at  Mason: 

Jason®  Dunster,  born  July  15,  1794. 
Mary'  Dunster,  born  Feb.  16,  1796. 
Isaiah®  Duj^ster,  born  Dec.  10,  1798. 
Betsey®  Dunster,  born  April  20,  1801. 
Samuel®  Duistster,  born  Aug.  1,  1803. 

vi.  Rebecca®  Dunster,  born  Sept.  25,  1805,  was 
baptized  June  8,  1806,  and  died  June  25,  1810,  of  scarla- 
tina, was  buried  at  Mason  Centre. 

vii.  JuLiAXNA®  Dunster,  born  Feb.  21,  1808,  was 
not  baptized,  although  her  mother  said  she  was  carried 
to  meeting  once.  She  was  a  remarkably  healthy  and 
l^romising  babe.  Her  mother,  as  usual,  put  her  into  her 
own  bed,  near  the  middle  of  it,  and  left  her  to  go  to 
sleep.  The  babe  crept  to  the  side  of  the  bed  and  fell  off, 
striking  on  the  side  of  her  head.  She  dislocated  her 
neck,  and  died  almost  instantly,  uttering  only  a  single 
cry,  July  26  of  the  same  year;  six  months  old,  buried  at 
Mason  Centre. 

27.  viii.  Samuel'  Cutter  Duxster,  born  April 
20,  1766,  was  the  eighth  and  youngest  child  of  Jason* 
and  Rebecca  (Cutter)  Dunster,  and  was  named  for  his 
grandfather,  Samuel  Cutter,  whose  genealogy  may  be 
found  in  "  Cutter  Family  of  New  England,"  by  William 
R.  Cutter,  page  52.  He  was  baptized  April  27,  1706,  by 
Rev.  Mr.  Cooke,  ''privately,  being  sick."  He  was  only 
three  years  old  when  his  father  removed  to  Mason.  The 
proprietors  of  Xo.  1,  afterwards  called  Mason,  made 
provision  for  schools  as  early  as  the  incorporation  of  the 
town,  1768.  The  schools  and  the  church  were  the  ob- 
jects of  solicitude;  and  in  them  the  children  were  trained 
to  the  best  of  the  means;  so  that,  though  brought  up 
24 


268         HENRY    DUNSTER    AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

27 

afar  from  the  privileges  at  Cambridge,  he  had  an  €qnal 
education  with  the  rest  of  the  children,  and  appears  to 
have  made  good  use  of  that  little  learning  which  has 
been  miscalled  a  "dangerons  thing."  That  he  worked 
in  early  manhood  "down  below,"  as  the  towns  near 
Boston  were  then  called,  may  be  true,  as  tradition  inti- 
mates. If  our  memoranda  "be  correct,  he  was  not  taxed 
in  Mason  till  1798,  being  then  32  years  old,  while  his 
brother,  Henry,  was  taxed  at  twenty.  His  name  appears 
in  the  division  of  school  districts  in  1791.  He  bought 
his  father's  farm  about  1798,  which  he  sold  about  1803. 

In  1805  he  bought  of  James  Cowee,  of  Gardner,  fifty- 
five  acres  of  land  in  Ashburnham,  Mass.,  which  he 
divided  with  Joel  Barrett.  The  next  year  he  bought  of 
Caleb  Wilder,  for  $40,  about  one  acre  of  land  in  Ash- 
burnham, "lying  near  said  Dunster's  mill." 

In  1819  he  bought  of  Joseph  Jewett  other  land  and 
mills,  about  one  mile  northeast  of  the  meeting  house, 
and  further  down  the  stream  which  makes  the  outlet  of 
the  large  ponds  forming  the  head  waters  of  the  Nashua 
Kiver.  On  these  he  established  works  for  spinning  cot- 
ton yarn,  which  were  among  the  first  of  the  kind  after 
its  introduction  by  Slater  in  Pawtucket. 

In  addition  to  the  cotton  spinning  he  had  a  saw  mill. 
These  he  continued  to  carry  on  with  good  success  for 
many  years ;  selling  the  yarn,  done  up  in  five  pound 
bunches,  to  the  storekeepers  and  other  people  in  the 
neighborhood.  He  sold  the  factory  and  privilege  to 
Samuel  Barrett,  and  took  in  exchange  Barrett's  farm. 
Barrett  enlarged  the  works,  built  a  large  hotel  and  other 
houses,  and  soon  failed,  involving  Dunster  to  a  very 
large  amount. 

Afterwards  he  bought  back  the  old  mill,  and  recom- 
menced the  manufacturing  of  cotton  yarn.  The  ma- 
chinery had  worn  itself  nearly  out.  New  inventions  to 
facilitate  the  production  and  cheapen  the  expense  had 
been  elsewhere  made.  He  had  not  kept  pace  with  im- 
provements, and  consequently  found  himself  unable  to 
compete  in  what  at  first  had  been  a  lucrative  business. 
He  lost  again;  and  finding  it  useless  to  go  on  further, 
gave  up  the  business  to  save  what  he  had  not  already 


SAMUEL^   CUTTER    DUXSTEK,  209 

27 

lost.     To  one  of  his  nephews  he  made  the  sage  remark: 

'•'Ohl  men  must  not  begin  new  business." 

He  was  kind  and  generous,  witliout  lio])e  of  reward, 
thoroughly  honest,  positive  in  opinion,  and  eccentric  in 
practice.  He  made  a  will  giving  the  interest  of  liis  es- 
tate to  his  wife  for  her  support,  and  directing  the  princi- 
jial  to  be  given  one-half  to  Joel  Barrett, one-quarter  to  Abel 
Foster,  of  Brookline,  N.  H.,  one-quarter  to  Lyman  Town- 
send,  of  ,  Vermont,  neither  of  whom  were  related 

to  him.  In  his  will  he  directed  that  if  his  wife  married 
again  she  should  have  no  income  from  his  estate,  but  the 
legatees  should  come  into  immediate  possession  of  his 
property.  She  married  again,  "but  was  sharp  enough 
to  get  them  to  sign  a  writing  to  have  her  still  draw  the 
interest." 

In  the  will  he  says:  "I  give  to  Martha  Wright,  the 
wife  of  Oliver  Wright,  living  in  Xelson,  X.  H.,  the  sum 
of  twenty-five  dollars."  And  adds:  "The  reason  I 
have  made  this  disposition  of  my  property  is  that  I  have 
no  children,  and  no  brothers  or  sisters,  except  the  said 
Martha  Wright;  and  all  the  relations  of  myself  and  Avife 
are  so  numerous  and  scattered  about  that  should  I  have 
given  my  property  to  them  all,  or  made  a  selection  of  a 
portion  of  them,  I  fear  it  would  occasion  more  ill-will 
and  hard  feelings  than  all  of  it  would  be  worth." 

On  his  death  bed  he  Avas  dissatisfied  with  the  disposi- 
tion he  had  made  of  his  property,  and  sent  for  the  maker 
of  the  will,  who,  after  ascertaining  that  his  wife,  who 
supposed  lie  had  more  property  than  he  really  possessed, 
would  be  content  with  the  scanty  means  and  unnatural 
condition  the  will  imposed,  declined  to  alter  anything, 
and  let  him  depart,  mind  unquiet,  will  disowned. 

He  had  some  crude  notions,  original  with  himself,  of 
what  has  lately  been  called  "development."  He  died 
April  19,  1839,  was  entombed  at  Ashburnham  Centre,  in 
a  tomb  he  owned.  His  remains  were  removed  to  a  lot  in 
the  new  cemetery  at  Ashburnham,  at  which  grave  stones 
were  erected  and  the  lot  well  ornamented  by  his  widow. 

He  was  twice  married.  His  first  wife  was  Hannah 
Townsend,  the  oldest  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Hannah 
(Lawrence)  Townsend.     She  was  born  in  Northborough, 


270        HENRY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

27-28 

Mass.,  Aug.  8,  1770,  married  by  Rev.  Mr.  Hill,  Jan.  12, 
1792,  at  Mason,  where  her  father  then  hved.  She  died 
at  Ashburnham,  Aug.  8,  1826,  was  entombed,  but  re- 
moved when  her  husband  was.  He  married  second, 
Madamoiselki  Townsend,  the  youngest  daughter  of  the 
same  parents,  and  sister  to  his  first  wife.  She  was  born 
in  Mason,  March  19,  1794.  She  took  care  of  her  sister 
in  her  last  sickness.  They  were  married  in  Ashburn- 
ham, March  1,  1827.  Neither  of  his  wives  ever  had  any 
children.  After  his  death  she  married,  Sept.  5,  1851, 
Silas  Keyes,  of  Temple,  N.  H.  He  died  Nov.  25,  1852. 
She  has  since  resided  with  a  nephew  in  Ashby,  Mass. 
Is  in  good  health,  although  now  (187G)  82  years  old,  and 
25  a  widow,  having,  to  use  her  own  expression,  "hard 
work  to  make  both  ends  meet."  She  contributes  to  the 
ancestral  relics  a  "silver  brooch  worn  by  your  uncle  in 
his  young  days."  It  is  like  a  Past  Master's  jewel,  al- 
though he  was  not  a  Freemason.  On  it  he  engraved 
very  roughly  "  S.   D." 

28,  i.  Jason®  Dunster,  {Jason,^  Jaso?i,*'  Henry, ^ 
Jona.,'^  Henry, ^)  the  first  child  of  Jason"  and  Mary  (Polly 
Meriam)  Dunster,  was  born  July,  15,  1794,  and  was  bap- 
tized by  Rev.  E.  Hill,  as  his  mother  stated,  but  we  find 
no  mention  of  the  baptism  in  Mason  Church  records. 
In  early  boyhood  he  had  all  the  advantages  of  the  school 
that  the  town  could  afford,  being  about  six  weeks  in 
Avinter  and  ten  in  summer,  and  going  nearly  two  miles  for 
that  scanty  education;  but  he  made  good  use  of  those 
advantages.  At  an  early  age  he  was  qualified  to  instruct 
others,  and  did  it  with  good  success,  especially  in  the 
government  of  unruly  boys.  In  a  district  at  New  Ips- 
wich those  boys  had  turned  a  former  teacher  out  of 
doors,  and  were  "masters  of  the  situation."  He  was 
solicited  to  continue  the  school,  to  which  he  consented, 
after  he  had  closed  the  one  he  was  then  instructing, 
being  about  a  fortnight.  At  the  time  appointed  he  went 
to  the  school  house  and  found  all  present,  to  whom  he 
addressed  his  inaugural.  "Boys!  I  have  come  to  keep 
this  school,  and  I  sliall  keep  it.  First  class,  take  your 
places  to  read  in  the  Bible,  beginning  where  you  left  off." 
There  was  no  more  rebellion  in  that  school,  but  a  most 


JASON®   DUNSTER.  271 

28 

successful  result,  especially  so  in  tliose  wlio  luul  made 
the  disturbance.  In  the  other  parts  of  the  year  he  worked 
on  his  father's  farm.  When  about  twenty-two  years  old 
he  bought  with  his  father  onc-tliird  of  the  mills  at  Mason 
Vilkige,  and  attended  them.  Being  a  central  locality, 
there  was  a  large  custom  of  grinding  and  Ijolting  gram 
and  sawing  lumber,  which  emplo^'ed  his  whole  time. 
He  was  popular  among  the  people  of  Mason,  and  was 
early  lionorcd,  as  it  was  then  called,  with  military  office, 
rising  in  grade  till  lie  commanded  the  company  in  the 
west  part  of  the  town,  and  is  still  dubbed  "Captain" 
among  his  neighbors.* 

In  the  war  of  1812  he  volunteered  as  an  ensign,  and 
was  stationed  at  Fort  Washington,  in  Portsmouth,  X. 
H.  For  that  service  he  now  receives  a  pension.  When 
the  troops  were  no  longer  desired  he  was  entrusted  with 
paying  their  wages,  which  was  done  by  Treasury  Xotes. 

He  wrote  to  his  fatlier,  Xov.  4,  1814:  **  There  are  no 
funds  on  hand  for  the  payment  of  the  troops,  and  many 
think  we  shall  not  receive  the  money;  but  we  are  deter- 
mined not  to  leave  the  place  till  we  are  paid." 

*  The  military  etiquette  of  those  days  happily  belongs  to  the 
lost  arts.  We,  too,  have  a  paper  bearing  the  broad  seal  of  the 
State  of  New  Hampshire,  and  certifying,  nearlj^  after  the  fashion 
of  that  of  a  house  servant  from  her  last  place  of  employment,  to 
our  fidelity,  courage,  &c.,  and  promising  us  "to  hold  Office  dur- 
ing good  Behaviour;"  signed,  David  Lawrence  Morrill,  "Gov- 
ernor of  Our  State." 

The  annual  training  came  off,  by  statute  law,  on  the  first  Tues- 
day of  May.  The  enrolled  men,  living  near  an  officer,  made  it  a 
point  to  call  on  him  before  da}iiglit  to  "wake  him  up."  Their 
arrival  was  announced  by  the  discharge  of  a  musket.  The  officer 
soon  made  his  appearance  at  the  door,  pretending  sin-prise  when 
he  was  saluted  by  a  voUej'  from  the  whole  squad,  in  rather  un- 
comfortable proximity  to  his  feet.  This  done,  they  were  invited 
in,  and  "Egg-nog,"  for  which  the  hens  and  New  England  rum 
had  been  laid  under  contribution,  was  furnished,  with  the  request 
to  "  drink  just  as  much  as  you  want  to." 

At  one  o'clock,  as  directed  by  summons,  they  appeared  on  the 
common,  when  the  First  Sergeant  showed  his  skill  by  placing  the 
men  in  line  according  to  their  height,  then  by  manipulation  and 
counter-marching  he  got  the  small  ones  in  the  centre.  This  being 
done,  the  Captain  was  infonned  that  the  compan}-  awaited  his 
orders.  He  then  drew  his  sword,  marched  and  exercised  them 
*24 


273         HENKY    DUNSTER   AND   HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

28 

At  the  arrival  of  tlie  treaty  of  peace  in  Mason  he  was 
at  home;  and  the  people  of  the  village  met  at  the  store, 
which  was  illuminated  at  its  two  front  little  windows,  to 
hear  the  treaty  read,  which  duty  was  assigned  to  him  as 
being  the  best  reader  in  the  village.  He  read  it.  Some 
of  the  more  discerning  ones  asked,  Is  that  all?  He  re- 
plied it  was;  and  read  it  again.  They  rejoined:  There 
is  nothing  said  about  "Free  Trade  and  Sailors'  Eights;" 
and  wondered,  as  many  have  since,  "  what  they  had  been 
fighting  about." 

He  sold  his  part  of  the  mills  about  1818,  and  engaged 
with  a  brother-in-law  in  manfacturing  satinets  in  Ash- 
burnham.  This  was  done  to  assist  his  partner,  who  had 
become  embarrassed.  Like  most  undertakings  of  this 
kind,  it  was  disastrous  to  him.  He  went  to  Westport, 
in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Adirondack  mountains,  in 
Essex  Co.,  New  York,  and  there  purchased  wild  land, 
which  he  has  since  made  into  a  good  farm.  But  it  was 
by  hard  labor  at  chopping,  rafting  on  the  lake,  attending 

awhile,  when  they  were  drawn  up  in  line  aod  each  soldier  in- 
spected. If  any  were  deficient  in  equipments  they  were  fined 
according  to  penal  code:  For  priming  wire  and  brush,  six  cents; 
for  two  spare  flints,  two  cents;  all  of  which  was  collected  by  due 
process  of  law. 

Then  followed  various  evolutions,  among  which  "  whipping 
the  snake  "  was  a  favorite  one.  This  consisted  in  following  the 
Captain  in  single  file  while  he  marched  in  the  form  of  a  helix  till 
near  the  centre,  when  he  faced  about  and  came  out  from  the  ap- 
parent snarl  at  the  same  point  he  entered.  This,  if  successfully 
done,  usually  produced  tlie  applause  of  the  bystanders.  Some- 
.  times,  however,  some  of  the  company  failed  to  follow  their  leader, 
and  the  result  was  a  tangle,  which  again  required  the  manipula- 
tion of  official  skill.  The  company  were  then  ordered  to  stand 
at  ease,  which  simply  meant  to  sit  down  on  the  ground,  when 
they  were  served,  at  the  expense  of  the  commissioned  ofticers, 
with  an  abundance  of  grog  made  of  Medford  rum,  of  which  they 
partook  ad  libitum,  being  served  by  the  corporals  as  their  part  of 
the  expense.  After  other  maneuvers,  followed  a  sham  tiglit,  not 
always  true  to  name,  and  the  company  was  dismissed  witli  a 
patriotic  speech. 

The  whole  regiment  was  called  out  in  the  fall,  when  the  town 
furnished  the  provisions  of  the  day,  not  omitting  a  quarter  of  a 
pound  of  powder  to  a  man,  plenty  of  new  cider  and  a  bountiful 
supply  of  liquor,  all  of  the  best  quality.  After  the  close  of  a 
training,  we  have  seen  a  single  soldier  drink,  on  a  wager,  a  pint 


JASOK*   DUNSTEK.  273 

28 

saw  mills,  and  teaching  in  the  winter,  that  he  was  en- 
abled to  lift  his  embarrassments  and  build  a  comfortable 
house  and  barns.  Now,  the  West  Shore  Lake  Cham- 
plain  Railroad  runs  through  that  farm.  He  writes: 
"After  55  years  in  tliis  place,  we  can  now  get  to  the  rest 
of  the  world  without  crossing  the  lake."  He  is  now 
(1876)  living  on  that  place,  Avith  good  health,  and  able 
to  do  considerable  work,  although  in  his  82d  3'ear.  He, 
with  his  wife,  visited  his  friends  in  New  Hampshire, 
Massachusetts  and  Khode  Island,  in  the  fall  of  1875. 

He  has  been  twice  married;  first,  to  Azubah  Felt,  Oct. 
23,  181G.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Aaron  Felt,  of  Tem- 
ple, N.  H.,  and  born  Oct.  31,  1794.  They  lived  at  his 
father's,  in  Mason  Village.  She  died  there,  Oct.  23, 
1818,  of  consumjition;  was  sick  most  of  her  married  life 
of  just  two  years.  She  was  buried  at  Mason  Centre,  and 
a  suitable  stone  is  erected  at  her  grave  in  the  Duuster 
group.     They  had  one  son: 

of  Medford  rum  withont  taking  the  measure  from  his  lips;  aucl 
can  add,  too,  tliat  he  appeared  afterwards  "none  the  worse  for 
liquor'"     [Please  understand  this  in  a  colloquial  sense.] 

This  custom  of  drinkittg  was  at  that  day  almost  universal  at 
trainings,  raisings,  huskings,  and  even  at  funerals,  where,  after  a 
hopeful  consolation  to  the  bereaved,  a  solemn  admonition  to  the 
impenitent  and  a  praj^er  for  their  conversion,  a  pail  of  '■  toddy  " 
was  carried  round,  first  to  the  minister,  then  to  the  chief  mourner, 
and  following  established  precedence,  to  the  children  of  the 
neighborhood. 

In  an  old  Day  Book,  1818,  given  us  by  a  relative  just  outside  of 
the  Dunster  family,  whose  husband  "kept  store,"  which  curiosity 
has  gathered  among  the  "relics,"  are  found  18  charges  for  i-um 
within  25  consecutive  entries,  which  are  relieved  onceby  trusting 
"  Joseph  j\"oWe  f or  ^  lb.  Tobacco,  10  cents,"  for  which  he  paid 
cash  12  da3^s  afterwards;  and  again,  "  to  one  hair  comb,  10  cents, 
and  i  tb.  of  Tobacco,  9  cents,"  charged  "  "Widow  Scribner,"  and 
posted  into  ledger.    One  cent  discrimination  in  favor  of  the  widow. 

With  such  surroundings  many  fell.  An  intimate  friend  caught 
a  glimpse  of  this  gulf  when  just  on  its  edge,  and  was  startled. 
Planting  himself  on  "  I  will."''  he  wrote  in  cypher,  a  habit  then 
common  with  him,  a  little  pledge,  the  first  he  ever  heard  of,  and 
formed  a  socie^}-,  "alone,  all  atone;"  and  fifty  years  of  faithful- 
ness have  secured  property,  favor,  confidence,  respect  and  honor, 
of  which  the  blindfolded  goddess  often  gets  credit  which  beloifo-s 
not  to  her. 

"  Speak  but  the  commanding  word,  I  will,  and  it  is  Aone.'"— Chaucer. 


274        HENRY    DUXSTER   AND    HIS   DESCENDANTS. 
28 

i.  Henry'  Jason  Dunster,  born  at  Mason,  Sept. 
19,  1817.  After  the  death  of  his  mother  he  lived  with 
his  grand-parents  (Dunster),  at  Mason  Yilhxge,  until 
1823,  when  his  father  had  married  again,  and  Henry 
Jason  was  carried  up  by  his  grandfather  when  he  re- 
moved the  goods  of  Jason  ^  to  Westport.  He  lived  with 
his  father  the  most  of  the  time  until  he  married,  Nov. 
7,  18-40,  Martha  Jane  Persell,  born  June  21,  1820,  daugh- 
ter of  David  and  Elizabeth  (Williams)  Persell,  of  Georgia, 
Vermont.  Martha's  mother  died  when  she  was  four 
years  old.  They  lived  one  year  in  a  house  near  his 
father's,  after  which  they  lived  in  a  house  on  another  lot 
bought  by  his  father.  He  was  of  a  melancholy  tempera- 
ment, but  was  highly  respected.  He  died  June  26,  1857. 
Buried  at  Wadham's  Mills  Cemetery. 

His  widow  lived  in  Westport,  keeping  the  family  to- 
gether with  the  assistance  of  his  father.  She  was  mar- 
ried second,  Nov.  30,  1867,  by  Eev.  E.  Marsh,  pastor  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  Elizabethtown,  N. 
Y.,  to  Henry  Bateman  Lewis,  of  that  town;  his  second 
wife.     She  had  kept  his  house  before  her  marriage. 

Henry'  and  Martha  had  seven  children,  all  born  at 
Westport: 

1.  Eliza^  Edlacia  Dunster,  born  Dec.  15,  1841, 
lived  at  Crown  Point,  Benson,  Vt.,  and  at  Westport 
with  Mr.  Allen,  who  had  adopted  her  sister  Harriet.  On 
her  thirtieth  birthday,  Dec.  15,  1871,  she  married  Oscar 
Taylor,  of  Westport;  his  second  wife.  She  died,  after 
a  very  distressing  sickness  of  a  week,  Sept.  26,  1872,  at 
Elizabethtown,  and  was  buried  at  Wadham's  Mills,  be- 
side her  husband's  first  wife.  She  was  a  member  in  full 
communion  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and 
"died  in  happy  confidence  of  blessed  immortality," 
leaving  no  children. 

2.  Lucius^  Felt  Dunster,  born  Aug.  22,  1843,  died 
Dec.  9,  1848,  of  scarlatina;  buried  at  Wadham's  Mills. 

3.  Wheaton  ^  Henry  Dunster,  born  Nov.  2<>,  1845, 
d\,ed  Dec.  23,  1848,  of  scarlatina. 

4.  Myron  ^  Newell  Dunster,  born  Jan.  9,  1848, 
died  Dec.  17,  1848,  of  scarlatina. 


THE    DUNSTER    FAMILY.  275 

28 

Thus  they  lost  three  little  children  in  ;i  fortnight  by 
tluit  mysterious  and  apparently  uncontrollable  disease. 

5.  Harriet^  Maria  Dunster,  born  Oct.  23,  1849, 
was  adopted  after  the  death  of  her  father  by  David  Lewis 
Allen,  of  Westport  Village,  with  whom  she  lived  until 
her  death,  June  10,  18G5,  bv  consumption;  Iniried  at 
Wadham's  Mills. 

G,  Wheaton®  Henry  Dunster,  born  Oct.  11,  1852, 
lived  with  his  maternal  aunt's  husband,  Deacon  Hiram 
Hale,  of  Georgia,  Vt.  He  married  May  31,  1875,  Eliza- 
beth Waller,  of  Georgia,  Vt. 

7.  Athelia^  Sarah  Dunster,  born  Jan.  1,  1855, 
lived  with  her  mother  till  about  1865,  then  with  her 
grandfather.     She   married  Nov.    24,   1875,   George  B. 

Mitchel,  a  sash  and  blind  maker,  of  Westport,  born , 

1853? 

Jason ^  Dunster  married  second,  Hannah  Hardy,  of 
Westport.  She  was  born  May  12,  1797.  The  next  year 
after  he  went  to  Westport  he  was  taken  sick  with  a  fever, 
and  for  some  days  little  hopes  of  his  recovery  were  enter- 
tained. During  all  this  sickness  she  carefully  nursed 
him  till  he  recovered.  Soon  after,  she  was  taken  down 
with  tlie  same  typhoid  fever,  which  was  then  at  that 
place  alarmingly  prevalent.  She  was  also  dangerously 
sick.  This  acquaintance,  begun  in  sympathy,  ripened 
into  affection,  and  was  consummated  by  their  marriage, 
Jan.  19,  1823.  He  had  built  a  house  on  the  clearing  he 
had  made,  and  they  commenced  housekeeping  there. 
His  father  removed  most  of  his  goods  and  furniture  to 
the  new  locality,  and  with  them  took  the  little  boy  of  his 
former  wife,  who  had  in  the  meantime  lived  with  him. 
He  was  kindly  received  by  his  new  mother,  an  event  not 
always  realized.  Her  kindness  to  him  never  waned. 
They  had  eight  children,  all  born  at  that  home  in 
Westport: 

ii.  AzuBAH '  Felt  Dunster,  named  for  liis  first  wife, 
was  the  first  cliild  of  the  second  marriage.  She  was  born 
Sept.  14,  1823;  lived  at  her  father's  till  about  20  years 
old,  and  then  with  her  uncle,  in  Providence,  R.  I.;  re- 
turned home  afterwards  in  feeble  health,  and  died  of 


276         HENRY    DUNSTER   AND   HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

28 

consumption,  June  2,  1849.  "She  was  an  amiable  and 
intelligent  young  woman;  a  member  of  the  church,  and 
died  in  faith;"  was  buried  at  Wadham's  Mills. 

iii.  Louisa'  Phebe  Dunster,  born  Sept.  6,  1825, 
united  by  profession  with  the  Orthodox  Congregational 
Church,  of  which  she  is  still  a  member.  She  was  mar- 
ried May  10,  1849,  by  Rev.  Charles  Spooner,  at  West- 
])ort,  to  Morris  Sherman,  born  May  6,  1824,  in  Essex 
(town),  Essex  Co.,  N.  Y.  He  was  son  of  Humphrey 
and  Anna  (Reynolds)  Sherman;  learned  the  trade  of 
mason  about  1836;  worked  on  the  prison  at  Clinton  and 
other  public  buildings.  Religious  opinions  Evangelical. 
They  boarded  Avith  her  father's  family  about  five  years, 
when  they  bought  a  house  at  Wadham's  Mills  Village,  in 
which  they  have  since  lived,  except  two  years  when  he 
carried  on  a  farm  in  Westport.  They  have  had  four 
children: 

1.  Sarah  ^  Azubah  Sherman,  born  May  1,  1850, 
educated  at  the  public  schools  and  at  Vergennes  (Ver- 
mont) High  School,  taught  in  1868  and  every  year  since. 
In  1874  slie  taught  in  Camanche,  Iowa.  In  the  fall  of 
1875  she  was  affianced  to  Frank  Henry  Stacy,  of  Clin- 
ton, Iowa.  He  was  born  at  Westport,  N.  Y.,  May  29, 
1850.  His  parents  settled  in  Camanche  about  1855, 
with  the  colony  from  Westport,  when  it  was  oj^en  })rairie. 
He  was  telegraph  operator  at  Low  Moor,  but  is  now  a 
conductor  on  the  Chicago  and  North  Western  Railroad. 
She  went  home  that  fall,  and  returned  to  Iowa  April  26, 
1876.     They  were  married  on  the  30th,  at  Camanche. 

2.  Ellery^  James  Sherman,  born  Nov.  25,  1852, 
educated  at  Westport  public  and  High  School,  and  at 
Elizabeth  town  High  School,  where  his  record  stands  the 
highest  in  the  school.  He  learned  the  trade  of  fancy 
painter  in  Vergennes,  Vt.  Has  marked  original  design. 
Was  occupied  as  accountant  and  superintending  busi- 
ness at  Wadham's  Mills.  In  June,  1876,  he  went  to 
Camanche,  Iowa.  He  graduated  at  the  I3usiness  Col- 
lege, Clinton,  Iowa,  March  1,  1877. 

3.  Clara^  Hannah  Sherman,  born  June  19,  1857, 
died  Dec.  21,  1862,  of  scarlatina;  buried  at  Wadham's 
Mills. 


THE    DUXSTER    FAMILY.  277 

28 

4.  Carrol®  Morris  Siieuman,  born  K\)v\\  15,  1864, 
living  with  his  parents  at  Wadham's  Mills. 

iv.  Sarah'  Dodge  Duxster,  fourth  child  of  Jason/ 
named  for  her  Grandmother  Hard}',  whose  surname  was 
Dodge,  born  Sept.  8,  1827,  was  married  at  Westport,  by 
Eev.  Mr.  Spooner,  ]\[ay  30,  1848,  to  Wait  Powers  Bris- 
tol, born  at  Panton,  \'t.,  Oct.  28,  1821,  son  of  Aaron 
and  Irene  (Powers)  Bristol.  She  died  when  Wait  was 
16  days  old.  They  kept  house  at  Wadham's  Mills  till 
June,  1857,  when  they  removed  to  Camanche,  Iowa, 
where  they  own  a  quarter  section  of  good  land,  about 
three  miles  from  Camanche  Village,  and  about  a  mile 
and  a  half  west  of  the  Mississippi  Eiver.  Have  a  good 
stock  of  cattle  and  horses,  and  are  in  comfortable  cir- 
cumstances.    They  have  had  six  children: 

1.  Harriet®  (called  Hattie)  Merrick  Bristol, 
born  at  Westport,  Sept.  29,  1850,  died  of  consumption, 
at  Camanche,  May  4,  1871;  unmarried;  buried  at  ceme- 
tery near  Camanche  Village. 

2.  Julia®  Haxxah  Bristol,  born  at  Westport, 
Sept.  19,  1852,  died  of  inflammatory  fever,  June  9, 
1858;   buried  beside  her  sister. 

3.  Mart®  Louisa  Bristol,  born  at  Camanche,  Xov. 
15,  1858,  died  there  of  lung  fever,  Jan.  7,  1862. 

4.  Fraxk®  Jasox  Bristol,  born  July  17,  1861, 
died  of  dropsy,  at  Camanche,  Feb.  21,  1866;  buried  at 
Camanche. 

5.  Charlie®  Samuel  Isaiah  Bristol,  born  Sept. 
19,  1868,  was  named  for  all  his  uncles. 

6.  EuGEXE®  Ellery  Bristol,  born  Feb.  15,  1871. 

V.  Charles'  Carrol  Duxster,  (Jason, ^  Jason,^ 
Jason,*  Henry,^  Jona.,^  ffenri/,^)  the  fifth  child  of  Jason 
and  fourth  of  Hannah  (Hardy)  Dunster,  was  born  March 
19,  1830.  He  worked  on  the  farm  at  home  till  of  age, 
and  remained  in  the  vicinity  until  1853,  when  he  was 
employed  by  the  surveying  partv  of  the  West  Shore  Lake 
Champlain  Railroad,  from  Whitehall  to  Plattsburg.  That 
survey  being  done,  he  went  to  Illinois  and  resided  a  year 
at  Kiles,  twelve  miles  north  of  Chicago;  afterward  went 


278         HEXRY    DUNSTER   AND   HIS    DESCEXDAXTS. 
28 

to  Lockport,  111.,  and  was  employed  in  Norton's  ship- 
yard one  season;  then  was  engaged  in  building  bridges 
and  locks  on  the  Illinois  and  Michigan  Canal.  In  this 
employ  he  continued  till  1856;  then  went  to  Minnesota, 
where  he  located  in  the  County  of  Steel  a  land  war- 
rant for  160  acres,  which  was  granted  to  his  father  for 
services  in  the  war  of  1813.  He  spent  that  winter  in 
Illinois,  but  returned  to  Steel  County  and  staid  till  1859. 
Having  sold  this  land,  he  went  back  to  Westport  and 
engaged  in  farming.  He  now  carries  on  his  father's 
farm  besides  his  own,  and  is  making  a  successful  busi- 
ness, and  improving  the  place  by  buildings.  He  is  ad- 
ministrator on  the  estate  of  Orrin  Hardy,  in  Westport. 
He  married  March  19,  1860,  when  just  thirty  years  old, 
Rachel  Benson,  daughter  of  David  Benson,  of  Elizabeth- 
town,  N.  Y.  Her  father  was  in  the  war  of  1812,  and 
now  receives  a  pension.     Three  children: 

.  1.     Clara^  Lydia  Dunster,  born  Dec.  23,  1867. 

2.  Elsie  ^  Hanxah  Duxster,  born  Oct.  30,  1871. 

3.  Mary^  Elizabeth  Duxster,  born  Feb.  11,  1875. 

VI.  Samuel'  Kimball  Duxster,  {Jason,^  Jason,^ 
Jason,*  Henry, ^  Jona.,'^  Henry, ^)  was  born  Aug.  14, 
1832.  He  lived  with  his  father  till  of  age,  having  the 
advantages  of  the  common  schools  only,  although  early 
manifesting  an  unmistakable  desire  for  a  more  thorough 
education  which  was  beyond  his  reach.  On  the  11th  of 
April,  1853,  he  left  home  for  the  East.  After  this  time 
he  kept  a  diary  of  his  experience.  A  few  of  the  leading- 
events  only  are  copied  for  want  of  space.  The  Journal 
ought  to  be  23reserved. 

After  working  at  various  places  he  settled  down  at 
Andover,  Mass.,  near  the  Phillips'  Academy,  and  en- 
gaged in  making  shoes  for  a  living,  and  at  the  same 
time  attended  the  Academy  as  a  student,  hiring  a  room 
and  boarding  himself,  living  alone,  and  working  all  the 
time  he  could  spare  from  his  studies.  He  had  worked 
awhile  at  Lowell,  and  while  there  or  at  North  Tewks- 
bury,  became  personally  interested  in  religion,  and  joined 
the  open  communion  Ba])tist  Church  there,  although 
residing  at  the  time  at  Andover.     He  was  Ijaptized  by 


SAMUEL'    KIMBALL    DUNSTER.  279 

28 

immersion,  June  11,  1854.  Leaving  Andover  with  re- 
gret, he  went  to  Lynn,  where  he  could  obtain  a  better 
living  at  the  same  business. 

At  Lynn  he  became  acquainted  with  Elizabeth  Jane 
Wallace,  daughter  of  Moses  and  Rachel  (Hanson)  Wal- 
lace, of  Cohasset.  She  was  born  March  10,  18-43,  at 
Sandwich,  N.  H.  They  were  married  Oct.  16,  18G0,  at 
her  father's,  (Beach wood,)  Cohasset.  They  kept  house 
at  Lynn  until  Nov.  2G,  1861,  when  he  felt  impelled  by 
duty — a  point  he  always  regarded — to  enlist  into  Co.  K, 
24th  Regt.  Mass.  Vols.  He  finished  up  what  work  he 
had  on  hand  of  his  employers,  J.  P.  Newhall  &  Co.,  who 
urged  him  to  stay  with  them,  offering  better  induce- 
ments, but  he  declined.  He  took  his  wife  and  babe  to 
her  father's,  and  then  made  preparations  to  join  his 
company  at  Readville.     He  writes: 

"Dec.  1,  1861 — Sunday — Remained  with  my  wife  at 
her  father's.  Attended  meeting  with  her.  Donned  my 
uniform  for  the  first  time.  It  seemed  the  saddest  day  of 
my  whole  life.  Lizzie  cannot  endure  the  thought  of  my 
leaving. 

"  Dec.  2 — Monday — Was  obliged  to  leave  in  the  morn- 
ing. If  I  had  fully  realized  what  the  separation  would 
have  cost  me,  I  fear  my  patriotism  would  have  been  in- 
sufficient to  have  taken  me  away.  Neither  of  us  have 
been  able  to  rest  for  several  days.  It  does  not  seem  pos- 
sible for  a  person  to  suffer  more  than  my  wife  has.  But 
the  word  had  been  passed.  I  could  not  turn  back  with- 
out feeling  disgraced,  although  I  was  not  legally  hold  en. 
With  earnest  prayers  for  our  preservation,  I  had'  to  leave. 
I  do  not  wonder  that  Lizzie  fainted." 

He  staid  at  Readville  a  fortnight,  then  went  by  Provi- 
dence to  New  York,  thence  by  steamer,  Eastern  Queen, 
for  Annapolis.  Near  here  they  encamped,  and  staid  till 
Jan.  7.     Dec.  31st  he  writes: 

"  I  like  as  well  as  I  expected,  and  do  not  regret  enlist- 
ing.    But  I  do  want  to  see  Lizzie  and  the  hahy.     What 
wouldn't  I  give  to  be  at  home  awhile.     The  month  has 
seemed  almost  an  age.     Well,  live  and  hope." 
25 


280         HEIS^RY    DUNSTEK    AXD    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

28 

Jan.  7,  1862,  they  went  ou  the  steamer  Admiral  for 
Eoanoke. 

"Jan.  19 — Chaplain  held  meeting  for  officers,  but 
none  for  us.     We  had  a  social  meeting  on  deck. 

''26th — Walked  on  the  beach  and  enjoyed  reading 
testament  and  tlnnl-ing  (underscored  in  diary). 

''Feb.  7 — Attempted  landing  at  Eoanoke.  Steamer 
aground  about  six  miles  from  the  battle  which  w^as  then 
raging.  When  it  commenced  I  could  not  keep  the  tears 
from  starting,  but  as  it  progressed  I  became  reconciled 
to  it,  and  felt  disappointed  that  we  could  not  be  there 
and  take  our  part." 

The  troojDS  from  the  abandoned  steamer  were  landed 
and  marched  to  take  part  in  the  battle.     He  writes: 

"We  met  a  stream  of  wounded  men  passing  to  the 
rear.  The  first  had  lost  an  arm.  Tlie  stump  was  ban- 
daged, but  the  blood  covered  his  clothes  and  the  litter 
on  which  he  was  carried.  Then  would  come  one  sup- 
ported by  two  comrades.  Another  with  one  side  of  his 
head  shot  away,  and  his  brains  scattered  over  his  clothes. 
Many  followed,  some  just  alive.  It  was  a  sad,  a  sicken- 
ing sight." 

Then  follows  a  most  graphic  account  of  the  battle, 
and  the  occupation  of  Newbern,  N.  C.  His  diary  gives 
each  day's  experience,  and  some  of  it  is  written  in  a 
blank  memorandum  found  at  Newbern,  a  part  of  which 
had  been  used  as  an  "Express  Freight"  book,  and  ele- 
gantly lettered  as  such. 

While  at  Newbern  he  w^as  a  constant  correspondent  of 
the  "Bay  State,"  printed  at  Lynn,  over  the  signature 
"  D.  K.  S."     His  initials  reversed.     He  refers  to  near  a. 
hundred  letters  he  wrote  between  June  and  Dec,  1862. 

July  21  of  that  year,  "A  man  killed  by  lightning  in 
camp."  Aug.  13th,  Dr.  Green  gave  him  the  temporary 
charge  of  tlie  hospital,  and  soon  after  he  was  appointed 
Steward,  which  post  he  held  till  the  close  of   the  Avar. 

Among  his  diary  items  is  a  chi'onology  of  events  and 
battles,  sketches  of  marches,  and  many  very  interesting- 
notes  of  actual  observation.     In  the  joocket  of  a  note- 


SAMUEL'    KIMBALL    DUNSTER.  281 

28 

book  we  find  a  photograph  of  his  child,  which  appears 
to  have  been  with  him  during  his  whole  army  life. 

At  the  close  of  the  war,  about  186G,  he  went  to  Phila- 
delphia, and  was  engaged  with  Mr.  Turner  in  making 
and  putting  u})  lightning  conductors  on  buildings,  which 
he  carried  on  till  his  health  failed,  in  the  summer  of 
1872,  when  he  came  to  his  father's  at  Westport,  and  died 
there  of  consum^ition,  Nov.  26,  1872. 

His  wife  staid  at  her  father's  and  at  Mr.  Cutting's,  a 
neighbor  of  his,  for  about  three  years,  then  with  her 
Aunt  Cutting  at  Weston,  Mass.  In  January,  1865,  she 
removed  to  his  father's,  Jason  Dunster,  of  Westport. 
Her  husband  visited  her  there  on  furlough  about  that 
time,  and  then  returned  to  the  army  again.  She  died 
at  Westport,  of  consumption,  Nov.  16,  1866.  They 
were  both  buried  at  Wadham's  Mills  Cemetery. 

We  find  in  the  Essex  (N.  Y.)  Republican  of  Dec.  12, 
1872:     "Died  at  Wadham's  Mills,  Nov.  26,  1872,  Mr. 

Samuel  K.  Dunster. He  Avas  amiable,  candid 

and  conscientious.  He  died  a  peaceful  death.  His  sub- 
mission was  genuine.  A  few  days  before  he  died  he 
remarked:  'I  desire  to  be  saved;  but  am  willing  to  be 
lost  should  it  be  God's  will.'  The  last  few  days  were 
characterized  by  growing  faith.  He  spoke  calmly  of  his 
funeral;  rerpiesting  his  pastor  to  speak  to  the  living,  ex- 
horting Christians  to  be  faithful,  and  sinners  not  to 
delay  to  repent  and  believe  in  Christ.  His  last  words 
were  whispered — 'I  am  happy.'  w.  h.  w." 

They  had  but  one  child: 

1.  Charles®  Kimball  Dunster,  born  at  Lynn, 
March  23,  1861.  He  lives  Avith  his  uncle,  Charles  C. 
Dunster,  to  whom  his  father  specially  commended  his 
only  child.  He  is  being  well  cared  for  by  his  grand- 
father and  uncle  both. 

vii.  Isaiah'  Hardy  Dunster,  {Jason, ^ Jason, ^Jason,^ 
Heiwy,^  Jona.,"^ Henry, ^)  the  seventh  child  of  Jason"  and 
sixth  of  Hannah  (Hardy)  Dunster,  was  born  at  West- 
port,  Feb.  28,  1835.  He  lived  at  his  father's  until  he 
went  West,  in  1859.     In  the  summer  of  1857  he  united 


282        HENRY    DUNSTER   AND   HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

with  the  Methodist  Church  at  Westport  by  profession. 
Of  that  church  he  has  been  and  is  still  a  tirm  and  con- 
sistent member. 

At  the  particular  request  of  the  writer  he  put  on  paper 
the  subsequent  experience  of  his  life,  which,  in  most  in- 
stances, we  have  quoted  from  his  manuscript,  abridging 
in  some  things,  but  not  altering  even  his  language  in 
regard  to  his  "war experience."     That  is  given  exact. 

"Feb.  14,  1859 — Left  home  intending  to  go  to  Kan- 
sas. Stopped  at  Camanche,  Clinton  Co.,  Iowa,  to  visit 
a  sister  (Sarah  D.  Bristol),  bat  have  made  my  home 
with  her  since.  Was  engaged  in  farming  till  I  went 
into  the  army.  The  destructive  tornado  of  June  3, 
1860,  passed  directly  over  Camanche.  Its  width  was 
about  half  a  mile,  but  its  power  seemed  unlimited. 
Quite  a  number  were  killed  or  injured  west  of  us.  At 
Camanche  (a  village  of  perhaps  forty  houses)  there  were 
thirty-two  persons  killed  and  many  severely  injured. 
Buildings  were  blown  like  chaff;  and  the  statement  is 
made,  on  reliable  authority,  that  a  log  lying  at  a  saw 
mill  on  the  'west  bank  of  the  Mississippi,  intended  for 
sawing,  was  found  on  the  east  bank  after  the  tornado 
had  passed.  The  river  there  is  not  less  than  half  a  mile 
wide;  we  think  more. 

"At  the  time  Fort  Sumter's  guns  echoed  through  the 
land,  being  busily  engaged  in  farming,  but  feeling  that 
my  life  work  was  set  for  me  to  do,  and  with  a  full  un- 
derstanding of  a  soldier's  hardship  and  requirement,  I 
enlisted  on  the  12th  of  August,  1861,  in  Co.  A,  8th  Iowa 
Infantry.  The  company  remained  the  same  during  the 
war,  being  filled  up  from  time  to  time  with  new  recruits. 
Went  into  quarters  at  Davenport,  Iowa,  and  after  being 
organized  and  equipped,  went  to  Benton  Barracks,  St. 
Louis.  After  a  stay  there,  took  cars  on  railroad  west 
to  Sedalia,  and  then  marched  to  Springfield,  Mo.,  and 
thence  back  again  by  railroad  to  Sedalia,  where  we  sjient 
the  winter,  in  small  cloth  tents,  upon  the  prairies. 

"This  trip  was  a  very  hard  one  for  us  at  the  time, 
being  unused  to  it,  and  such  a  short  time  doing  it,  and 
wholly  uncalled  for,  with  insufficient  rations.     W"e  lost 


ISAIAH^    HARDY    DUXSTEK.  283 

28 

twelve  men  out  of  Co.  A  upon  this  trip  by  the  effects  of 
it.  But  what  was  that  when  the  l}et  was  won — for  there 
was  a  I)et  of  >S"200  between  Gen.  McKinsly  and  Col. 
[Adjt.  Gen.]  Steel,,  marching  against  time.  About  fir.st 
of  March  took  cars  and  came  to  St.  Louis  again.  Boat 
down  the  river  to  Cairo.  Up  Ohio  and  Tennessee  to 
Pittsburgh  Landing,  and  into  camp.  Very  many  sick, 
owing  to  bad  water  we  had  and  other  causes. 

"  The  well  remembered  Sunday  morning  of  April  Oth, 
firing  commenced  between  the  two  armies,  and  contin- 
ued to  increase  till  about  ten  o'clock,  when  we  were 
actually  engaged  at  the  front.  We  had  a  rise  of  land 
for  our  position,  and  held  it  until  four  o'clock,  after 
being  charged  upon.  At  this  time  our  forces  had  been 
driven  upon  the  right  and  left,  and  we  were  surrounded 
and  made  prisoners  to  the  number  of  about  2500.  [He 
gave  us  orally  a  somewhat  amusing  account  of  his  cap- 
ture. In  assisting  a  wounded  comrade  he  had  become 
separated  from  his  company.  After  the  firing  ceased 
an  officer  approached  him  and  ordered  him  to  throw 
down  his  gun.  He  felt  indignant  at  the  order,  the 
thought  of  being  a  prisoner  not  entering  his  mind;  so 
he  said,  "  Who  are  you?  to  make  such  a  demand."  The 
officer  said,  "TheyAvill  shoot  you  if  you  don't  doit." 
Xot  noticing  his  uniform,  and  at  the  moment  not  able 
to  recall  the  word  "  Confederate,"  he  said,  in  his  blunt 
way,   ^'Are  you  Union  or  rebel?"     To  which  the  officer 

replied,  "We  are  none  of  your Lincolu  Yankees. 

We  have  beat  you;  own  up  and  throw  down  your  gun."] 
''In  the  main,  at  this  time,  we  were  well  treated.  They 
gave  us  much  credit  for  our  fighting.  '  Boys,  we've  got 
you,  but  you  fought  well.'  They  marched  us  about  six 
miles  that  night.  Spent  the  night  in  mud  and  rain. 
Xext  day  to  Corinth.  Took  cars  thence  to  Memphis. 
Eemained  there  one  day.  Then  cars  again  to  Jackson. 
Miss.,  then  to  Mobile.  Boat  on  the  Alabama,  Tombig- 
bee  and  Black  Warrior  rivers  to  Tuscaloosa,  where  four 
hundred  of  us  remained  one  month  in  two  rooms  of  an 
old  tobacco  warehouse,  fitted  up  for  prison  use.  Our 
situation  was  not  a  pleasant  one.  The  filth  of  the  place 
and  the  small  amount  of  food  were  just  enough  to  keep 

*0.r, 


284        HENRY    DUXSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

28 

soul  and  body  together,  if  it  did  not  stay  too  long.  To 
live  in  any  comfort  at  all  we  often  had  to  kill  off  the  lice 
known  as  grey  backs,  which,  by  the  way,  I  have  no  great 
love  for,  especially  when  I  did  not  get  enough  to  eat  and 
could  not  well  spare  any  of  myself  for  them  to  feed  upon. 

"After  a  month's  stay  we  were  again  on  the  move 
down  the  river,  which  we  enjoyed  much  better  than  at 
Tuscaloosa.  Up  and  down  in  such  a  climate,  and  many 
things  of  interest  were  enjoyed,  but  the  hunger  was  not 
pleasant.  Down  next  to  Mobile,  and  then  up  to  Mont- 
gomery, where  we  met  many  of  our  boys  who  were  taken 
with  us,  but  sent  to  a  different  place.  To  this  time  we 
had  not  known  what  our  destiny  was  to  be.  Here,  we 
were  rejoiced  at  a  parole.  Parole  was  that  '  I  promise 
upon  Honor  that  I  will  not  again  take  up  Arms  in  de- 
fence of  the  N^orth,  nor  aid  in  any  form  whatever'-  until 
I  am  regularly  exchanged.'  This  parole  we  separately 
signed.  Went  to  Atlanta,  Chattanooga,  and  Birdsport 
[?],  on  Tennessee  Eiver.  Waited  a  day  or  two,  then 
down  the  river  a  few  miles,  where  we  were  received  by 
our  men,  and  took  cars  for  Huntsville.  What  a  priv- 
ilege this,  after  58  days  of  a  prison's  fate,  to  feel  again 
that  I  was  in  a  measure  a  free  man.  What  a  pleasure  to 
see  the  Stars  and  Stripes  instead  of  the  one  we  had  been 
under.  There  were  about  400  of  us,  and  we  left  about 
the  same  number  at  Tennessee  River  who  expected  soon 
to  follow  us;  but  our  men  refusing  to  receive  them,  they 
went  back  for  four  months  more  to  prison  life,  and 
many  still  remain  in  a  prisoner's  grave.  I  cannot  excuse 
our  government  for  it,  either.  Perhaps  I  never  did 
relish  a  meal  more  than  the  first  one  at  Huntsville  of 
coffee  and  hard-tack. 

"During  my  prison  life  I  received  favors  for  which  I 
felt  grateful.  One  was  a  j)air  of  new  shoes.  Marched 
from  Huntsville  to  Columbia,  75  miles.  Had  it  not 
been  we  were  going  north  we  could  not  have  done  it, 
many  being  weak.  Cars  to  Xashville,  where  we  staid 
three  weeks;  thence  to  Cairo  and  St.  Louis.  Here  at 
St.  Louis,  I  think,  we  were  worse  used  than  we  had  been 
in  all  our  prison  life.  By  order  of  Gen.  Schofield  we 
were  to  be  furnished  with  arms  [those  detailed]   and 


ISAIAir    HARDY    DUNSTER.  285 

28 

should  be  iletiiilcd  for  guard  duty.  There  was  a  feehng 
of  indignatiou  at  thus  being  called  upon  to  violate  and 
com|)roniise  our  honor.  I  was  among  the  first  to  be 
detailed.  Xot  going,  I  was  waited  upon  and  marched  to 
guard-house.  To  this  I  did  not  object.  I  was  placed 
under  guard  with  ball  and  chain,  which  I  wore  one 
week.  During  this  time  I  was  called  before  a  court 
martial,  and  told  that  if  I  would  go  upon  duty  I  would 
be  released.  As  I  did  not  choose  to  do  so,  the  trial  went 
on,  and  being  called  to  speak  for  myself,  I  said  that  I 
was  taken  prisoner  in  the  discharge  of  my  duty,  and 
fairly  taken.  That  while  a  prisoner  I  was  of  no  use  to 
the  government,  and  that  I  had  given  my  word  upon 
honor  that  I  would  not  take  up  arms  nor  do  soldiers' 
duty  until  I  was  exchanged,  and  I  would  not  unless  the 
War  Department  ordered  it,  and  then  I  would  hold  them 
responsible,  if  such  a  thing  could  be,  and  not  till  then. 
Taken  back  to  guard-house.  At  end  of  a  week  we  were 
called  to  headquarters  to  see  if  we  wished  to  be  released 
to  do  duty;  but  as  we  did  not,  they  hand-cuffed  two 
together  and  sent  us  back  again.  Eemained  under 
guard  40  days.  The  sentence,  being  six  months  labor 
on  public  works,  with  ball  and  chain,  upon  half  pay, 
was  then  remitted  and  I  was  released.  In  the  mean- 
time, the  governors  of  Iowa  and  Illinois  being  informed 
of  the  facts,  wrote  to  Gen.  Scholield  that  with  such  a 
state  of  affairs  and  with  such  indignities  heaped  upon 
the  soldiers,  enlistments  had  stopped.  Some  of  the 
paroled  prisoners  had  done  duty  under  protest. 

"I  was  exchanged  about  the  first  of  January  (1862), 
and  the  regiment  being  reorganized,  we  were  again  on 
our  way  down  the  Mississippi  River,  and  went  into  camp 
at  Dicksport,  La.  We  were  set  to  w^ork  cutting  the 
levee  to  let  the  water  into  the  much  talked  of  Yicksburg 
Canal.  Went  on  a  campaign  to  Jackson;  then  to  rear 
of  Yicksburg;  then  took  position  in  front  and  rear  of 
enemy's  fortifications.  Upon  Grant's  charge  our  brigade 
was  held  as  a  reserve.  It  being  a  failure,  with  great 
sacrifice  of  life,  it  was  given  up,  and  a  different  plan 
gave  us  Vicksburg.  AVent  under  Gen.  Sherman  to 
Jackson;    then  came  back  and   went   into   camp    near 


280         HENRY    DUNSTER   AXD    HIS   DESCENDANT?. 

28 

Vicksburg  to  recruit  and  rest.  After  spending  summer 
resting,  was  again  up  the  river  to  Memphis.  On  my 
way,  I  was  presented  with  a  Captain's  commission  by  a 
schoohnate  who  was  Lieut. -Colonel  of  a  colored  regi- 
me ut  then  being  organized.  From  Memphis  went  to 
Pocahontas,  where  I  was  honorably  discharged.  Pro- 
ceeded to  Little  Kock,  Ark.,  the  headquarters  of  the 
regiment.  Eemained  about  three  months,  and  nearly 
completed  the  company,  when  the  Lieut.-Colonel,  five 
captains  and  ten  lieutenants  were  dismissed,  without  any 
trial,  to  give  place  to  others,  by  order  of  Gen.  Steel. 
For  this  outrage  and  injustice  the  War  Department 
severely  reprimanded  Gen.  Steel,  and  offered  to  reinstate 
these  officers;  but  we  were  out  of  the  service,  and  I,  for 
one,  felt  too  indignant  to  accejit  again,  and  the  War 
Department  honorably  discharged  nie." 

He  returned  home  again  with  poor  health,  but  soon 
improved,  and  has  since  made  his  home  at  his  sister's, 
in  Camanche,  employed  in  farming  and  teaming.  He  is 
still  nnmarried. 

viii.  Mary'  Merriam  Dunster,  named  for  her 
grandmother,  was  born  Nov.  4,  1837.  She  was  well 
educated,  and  of  an  affectionate  disposition.  To  her, 
her  Grandmother  Dunster,  at  her  death,  gave  the  gold 
necklace  she  had  long  worn.  She  lived  at  her  fathers, 
with  the  exception  of  a  few  months,  during  her  whole 
life.  She  died  of  consumption,  Dec.  21,  1872,  unmar- 
ried.    From  the  Essex  County  Republican  we  copy: 

''This  is  the  third  affliction  the  household  has  been 
called  to  suffer  in  as  many  months — the  last  of  three 
heart  wounds  of  which  each  succeeding  one  was  deeper. 
In  Elizabethtown,  Sept.  26,  Mrs.  Eliza  E.  Taylor,  a 
grand-daughter,  died  suddenly,  Mr.  Samuel  K.  Dun- 
ster, a  son,. who  had  passed  most  of  his  time  away,  re- 
turned in  October  last  and  died  of  consumption,  Nov. 
26.  Now  we  chronicle  the  death  of  a  daughter,  the 
youngest  and  tenderest  of  the  household,  upon  whom  its 
interests  and  sympathy  were  centered.  For  ten  years 
she  suffered  witli  poor  health.  The  last  two  years  were 
characterized  by  gradual  but  certain   decline.     For  the 


THE  DUNSTEK  FAMILY.  287 

28-29 

last  few  months  it  has  been .  apparent  to  all  that  she- 
must  soon  bid  us  adieu.  She  died  rejoicing  in  hope. 
During  the  last  few  daj^s  her  mind  was  calm  and  peace- 
ful. '  Xot  ni}'  will,  but  Thine  be  done'  was  her  ])rayer. 
She  desired  grace  to  enable  her  to  wait  with  patience 
until  the  summons  came.  'Meet  me  in  Heaven'  was 
her  last  message  to  absent  friends.  Her  passing  away 
was  falling  asleep. 

'Asleep  iu  Jesus!  peaceful  rest 
Whose  wakiug  is  supremely  blest.' 

As  shadows,  cast  by  flitting  clouds,  chase  each  other 
across  the  fields  and  out  of  sight,  so  have  they,  the  dear 
dej^arted,  fled,  one  after  another,  to  the  unseen  realm. 

w.  H.  w." 

ix.  Elleky^  Garfield  Duxster,  the  ninth  child 
of  Jason  and  eighth  of  Hannah  Dunster,  was  born  Jan. 
8,  1844.     He  died  Dec.  11,  1848,  of  scarlatina. 

This  was  the  fourth  child  who  died  in  that  family 
circle  iu  three  weeks  of  that  fatal  disease. 

29.  ii.  Mary^  Duxster,  {Jason, ^  Jason, ^  Henry, ^ 
Jona,,"^  Henry,^)  the  second  child  of  Jason^  and  Mary 
(Polly  Meriam)  Dunster,  was  born  Feb.  16,  1?9G.  She 
was  iDaptized  by  Eev.  E.  Hill,  Feb.  25.  She  had  all 
the  advantages  of  the  common  school  as  it  was  then,  but 
no  other.  She  made  good  use  of  that,  and  for  the  times 
was  well  educated.  Slie  lived  with  her  parents,  and  was 
of  great  service  in  spinning  and  Aveaving  by  hand.  Iu 
that  way  all  the  domestic  clothing  was  made.  The 
ponderous  old  loom  adorned  the  attic  long  after  its  use- 
fulness had  departed.  At  the  time  of  the  great  Septem- 
ber gale  (1815)' she  was  engaged  in  preparing  for  her 
marriage  outfit.  The  roof  of  the  then  new  house, 
strongly  framed  with  ridge-pole  and  braces,  was  lifted 
so  as  to  show  at  the  top  a  wide  opening,  but  falling  back 
into  place  it  remained  firm,  and  she  received  no  injury. 
She  married  Dec.  28.  1815,  Beuoni  Cutter  Kimball, 
born  in  Temple,  N.  H.,  March  13,  1791.  He  was  the- 
son  of  Isaac  and  Sally  (Sarah  Cutter)  Kimball.  They 
lived  on  the  second  farm  in  Temple,  on  the  Mason  Vil- 


288         HENRY    DUNSTEE  AND    HIS    DESCENDAXTS. 

29 

lage  road,  {History  Temple.)  He  was  named  for  his 
mother's  brother,  Dr.  Benoni  Cutter.  He  was  a  house 
carpenter;  was  finishing  the  inside  of  Jason  Dunster's 
new  house  when  he  became  engaged  to  his  daughter. 

He  built  a  new  house  at  Mason  Village,  in  which  they 
at  first  lived,  and  afterwards  built  another  there,  in 
which  they  lived  until  he  bought  the  two-thirds  of  the 
Dunster  homestead,  about  1835,  and  the  other  third  at 
the  death  of  AVidow  Mary  Dunster,  1858. 

He  was  an  influential  member  of  the  Congregational 
(Orthodox)  Church,  and  took  a  prominent  part  in  or- 
ganizing the  new  church  at  Mason  Village.  His  wife 
was  a  devoted  member  of  the  church  to  which  they  both 
united,  in  18.26,  at  the  same  time  by  profession,  and  had 
all  their  children  baptized  at  Mason  Centre.  In  all  the 
religious  enterprises  they  took  an  active  and  leading  part. 
She  died  very  suddenly  of  heart  disease,  May  31,  1864, 
and  was  buried  at  Mason  Village  Cemetery.  He  died 
March  29,  1865,  of  diabetes,  which  painful  sickness  he 
bore  with  Christian  patience.  He  was  buried  beside  his 
wife.  They  had  fifteen  children,  all  born  at  Mason  Vil- 
lage. To  these  parents  was  granted  the  blessed  privilege 
of  seeing  every  one  of  them,  except  the  two  who  died  in 
infancy,  united  with  a  Christian  church  by  profession, 
and  all  worthy  members  of  society. 

1.  Benoni' Kimball,  {Benoni  and  Man/  Dunster,) 
the  first  child  of  Benoni  and  Mary  (Dunster)  Kimball, 
was  born  Dec.  23,  1816.  He  was  a  carpenter.  Worked 
in  Boston  on  Shawmut  Avenue  Church.  He  united 
with  Mason  Centre  Church.  He  had  been  baptized, 
Sept.  16.  1826,  on  profession  of  parents,  but  like  his 
ancestor,  doubted  its  validity.  He  was  married  by  Rev. 
Mr.  French,  at  Peterboro,  N.  H.,  to  Jane  A.  Spring, 
who  was  then  living  at  Mason  Village.  They  lived  in 
Boston,  where  he  died  of  small-pox,  July  15,  1840. 
When  his  friends  told  him  of  his  approaching  end,  after 
a  moment's  silent  prayer,  he  said,  ''The  Lord's  will  be 
done."  He  was  buried  at  the  strangers'  burying  ground. 
They  had  no  children.  His  wife  returned  to  Mason, 
and  after  two  or  three  years,  married  Rev.  Mr.  Burn- 


THE    KIMBALL    FAMILY.  289 

29 

ham,  a  Christ-ian  minister,  and  went  West.     She  had 
two  children  by  him. 

2.  George''  Kimball,  {Benoni  and  Mary^  Dunster,) 
born  May  30,  1818.  School  edncation  at  vilhige.  Work- 
ed with  liis  father  at  carpentry.  He  married  April  G, 
1841,  Phebe  Rideont,  danghter  of  Jacob  and  Sarah  (Sim- 
onds)  Rideont,  of  Milford,  IST.  H.,  and  bnilt  a  house 
on  the  Dunster  homestead.  He  iiad  lived  at  Fitchburg, 
where  she  became  a  member  of  the  Congregational 
Church.  They  also  lived  at  Springfield,  Mass.,  where 
they  had  a  son: 

(i)  George*  Bexoni  Kimball,  born  July  10,  1842. 
He  died  at  Springfield,  Sept.  20,  1843,  and  was  brought 
to  Mason  Yilhige. 

On  the  formation  of  the  village  church  they  both  re- 
moved their  church  relations  to  it.  She  died  Feb.  23, 
1861,  of  cancer  in  the  breast,  which  was  once  removed 
without  any  benefit.  For  a  large  part  of  her  eight  or  ten 
years'  sickness  she  w^as  helpless.  She  died  at  Fitchburg, 
but  was  buried  at  Mason  Village.  Her  husband  staid  a 
short  time  at  Fitchburg,  and  then  went  to  Springfield 
Armory,  where  he  was  inspector  of  guns.  Here  he  mar- 
ried 2d,  Aug.  5,  1862,  Mary  Ann  Johnson,  daughter  of 
William  and  Eliza  (Tweedy)  Johnson;  married  by  Rev. 
Joel  Bingham,  of  Westfield.  She  was  a  member  of  the 
Episcopal  Church  in  Springfield.  With  that  church 
both  are  now  connected.  About  1871  he  bought  a  farm 
about  four  miles  north  of  Lawrence,  Kansas.  He  now 
lives  in  Lawrence,  and  works  at  Kimball  Bros,  machine 
shop.     They  have  had  two  children: 

(ii)  Herbert*  Wilber  Kimball,  born  at  Spring- 
field, March  8,  1864,  died  in  Reno  Township,  Kansas, 
May  7,  1873,  of  cerebro-spinal  meningitis.  He  was  won- 
derfully mature  in  intellect  and  learning.  He  suffered 
that  dreadful  disease  one  hundred  and  two  days,  when 
death  relieved  him.  We  find  an  extended  notice  of  that 
little  boy,  nine  years  old,  in  a  Lawrence  paper,  and  think 
not  a  word  has  been  over-drawn.  We  saw  him  wiien 
racked  with  pain  and  limbs  distorted,  still  he  was  calm 
and  patient.     "  In  the  school  house  which  had  been  the 


^90        HENRY    DUNSTER   AND   HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

29 

scene  of  his  little  triumphs,  the  beautiful  burial  service 
of  the  Episcopal  service  was  pronounced  by  Rev.  J.  K. 
Dunn,  and  the  wasted  and  wearied  body  of  little  'Bertie' 
is  now  at  rest  in  the  Oak  Hill  Cemetery  at  Lawrence." 

(iii)  CoRA^  Lena  Kimball,  daughter  of  George  and 
Mary  Ann  (Johnson)  Kimball,  "was  l)orn  at  Lawrence, 
Kansas,  Jan.  28,  1867.  She  possesses  much  of  her 
brother's  intelligence  and  tact  at  learning. . 

B^  Mary^  Ann  Kimball,  born  Jan.  19,  1820,  died 
Sept.  30,  1824,  buried  at  Mason  Centre.  Removed  to 
Mason  Village  Cemetery,  1866,  and  reinterr.ed  there. 

4.  Eliza^  Ann  Kimball,  born  Sept.  1,  1821,  bap- 
tized Sept.  16,  1826,  joined  the  Congregational  Church 
at  Mason  Centre.  Married  at  her  father's,  on  the  Dun- 
ster  homestead,  Oct.  22,  1843,  by  Rev.  Joseph  B.  Hill, 
to  George  Gardner  Amsden,  of  Springfield,  son  of  Hollis 
Amsden,  of  Mason.  Lived  in  Amherst,  IST.  H.,  and 
Mason  Village.  She  died  Sept.  6,  1846,  and  was  buried 
there.     They  had  no  children. 

5.  Addison^  Kimball,  born  Feb.  7,  1823,  died 
March  5,  same  year. 

6.  Franklin^  Kimball,  (Benoni  and  Manj^  D.,) 
the  sixth  child  of  Benoni  and  Mary  (Dunster)  Kimball, 
was  born  Jan.  6,  1824,  baptized  Sept.  16,  1826,  united 
with  Mason  Centre  Church  by  recent  experience  and 
profession.  Worked  with  his  father  as  house  carpenter. 
Worked  at  Fitchburg  as  pattern  maker.  He  married 
Sept.  8,  1847,  at  Stoddard,  N.  H.,  Elizabeth  Davis,  born 
N"ov.  28,  1822,  daughter  of  Asa  and  Abigail  (Hodge- 
man) Davis,  married  by  Rev.  Isaac  Robinson.  She  was 
a  member  of  the  Congregational  (Orthodox)  Church  at 
Fitchburg,  where  they  both  lived  when  married. 

In  1857,  with  his  brothers,  he  removed  to  Lawrence, 
Kansas,  where  he  has  resided  since.  He  has  been  a 
member  of  the  City  Council  of  Lawrence.  He  was  there 
when  Quantrell  made  his  murderous  raid  on  that  city, 
but  was  not  disturbed,  being  at  a  little  distance  from  the 
scene  of  destruction.  He  is  a  member  of  the  firm  of 
^'Kimball  Brothers,"  macliinists  and  founders.  They 
have  had  three  children: 


THE    KIMBALL    FAMILY.  291 

29 

(i)  Frances®  Emogen"  Kimball,  born  :it  Fitchbnrg, 
July  15,  1850,  is  very  well  educuted,  having  gnidnated 
at  tlie  Kansas  State  University  in  Lawrence.  She  lived 
with  her  parents  till  Nov.  18,  1873,  when  she  was  mar- 
ried by  Rev.  Mr.  Cordley,  at  her  father's,  corner  of 
Pinckney  and  Tennessee  streets,  to  Arthur  Carruth,  of 
Lawrence.  They  now  reside  in  Topeka,  Kansas.  He 
is  in  the  book  business.     They  have  one  child: 

(1)     Charles'  Arthur  Carruth,  b.  Nov.  21,  1875. 

(ii)  Charles"  Frederick  Kimball,  {Franklin,'' 
Benoni  and  Mary^  Dunster,)  was  born  at  Fitchburg, 
Mass.,  Feb.  3,  1857.  Is  well  educated.  Resides  at  his 
father's.     Is  a  machinist,  employed  by  Kimball  Bros. 

(iii)  Mary®  Abbie  Kimball,  born  at  Lawrence, 
Kansas,  Dec.  7,  1859,  died  July  4,  1860,  buried  at  Oak 
Hill  Cemetery,  Lawrence. 

7.  Isaac  ^  ISTewton  Kimball,  born  at  Mason  Vil- 
lage, Dec.  7,  1825,  was  baptized  Sept.  16,  1826.  United 
with  Mason  Centre  Church  by  profession  in  ISll.  He 
learned  the  carpenter's  trade  of  his  father;  afterwards 
worked  in  Fitchburg;  was  taken  sick  with  typhoid  fever 
there;  came  home,  and  died  at  the  Dunster  homestead, 
Sept,  5,  1845;  was  buried  at  Mason  Village.  He  had  a 
splendid  intellect,  and  death  only  conquered  his  deter- 
mination to  have  a  collegiate  education. 

8.  Samuel'  Duxster  Kimball,  {Benoni  and  Man/ 
{Dunster),  Jason,^  Jason,*  Henrij,^  Jona.,"^  Henry, ^)  born 
at  Mason  Village,  Aug.  27,  1827,  was  named  for  his 
uncle.  He  united  with  Mason  Centre  Church  by  pro- 
fession in  1844,  with  his  brothers,  Isaac  Newton  and 
Frederick.  He  learned  the  trade  of  machinist.  Worked 
at  Clinton  and  Fitchburg.  At  both  places  he  kept  house. 
At  the  time  of  the  "Kansas-Nebraska"  excitement  (1854) 
he  was  one  of  the  pioneers  to  make  a  settlement  at  Law- 
rence, which  was  then  open  prairie.  In  this  they  had  a 
double  object, — bettering  their  condition,  and  making 
Kansas  a  Free  State.  He,  with  his  brother  Frederick, 
went  out  in  advance  of  the  colony  from  Worcester  Coun- 
ty.    Their  families  soon  followed.     Two  of  his  brothers, 

26 


292        HENRY    DUNSTER    AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

29 

Franklin  and  Edward,  afterwards  Joined  the  colon3\ 
They  formed  a  partnership,  "Kimball  Brothers,"  and 
did  an  extensive  bnsiness  as  machinists  and  founders. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  City  Council  six  years,  three  of 
which  he  was  President  of  the  Board.  He  was  Mayor 
of  the  city  in  18G7  and  '68.  Was  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Education,  and  Chief  Engineer  of  the  Fire 
Department.  He  married  at  Mason  Village,  Nov.  15, 
1849,  Adaline  Amelia  Livingston,  daughter  of  Benjamin 
and  Milly  (Sanders)  Livingston,  of  Sharon,  N.  H.,  then 
residing  at  Mason  Village.  They  were  married  by  Rev. 
William  Olmstead,  the  first  pastor  of  Mason  Village 
Congregational  Church,  to  which  she  united  by  pro- 
fession. 

At  the  time  of  Quantrell's  raid  on  Lawrence,  Aug.  21, 
1863,  he  was  taken  from  his  own  house,  No.  20  Ken- 
tucky street,  and  marched  under  guard  to  a  sort  of 
prison,  made  of  the  City  Hotel,  on  Massachusetts  (?) 
street,  and  there  confined.  After  taking  him  (it  was 
early  in  the  morning  and  he  scarce  had  time  to  dress) 
they  set  his  house  on  fire,  and  piled  the  furniture,  bed- 
ding, &c.,  on  the  flames  to  make  sure  of  its  destruction, 
then  left  the  premises.  His  wife,  brave  woman!  im- 
mediately set  about  extinguishing  the  flames,  and  suc- 
ceeded in  saving  the  house,  although  much  of  the  furni- 
ture was  destroyed.  The  pallor,  where  the  fire  was 
kindled,  was  badly  burned;  and  in  1872  a  table  Avas 
shown  us  with  the  leaves  badly  burned  and  one  leg 
nearly  burned  oS,  To  our  mind,  it  was  the  most  inter- 
esting ornament  of  the  parlor  in  Avhich  it  stood.  It  will, 
we  trust,  be  kept  as  a  memento  of  that  horrid  scene  at 
which  fiends  might  blush.  He  was  liberated  when  they 
left  the  city.  He  still  resides  in  that  house,  and  con- 
tinues the  business  of  machine  making.  We  might  add 
he  was  a  delegate  to  the  famous  Congregational  Council 
of  Plymouth  Church.     They  have  had  no  children. 

9.  Frederick'  Kimball,  was  born  at  Mason  Vil- 
lage, June  9,  1829.  He  united  with  the  Congregational 
Church  at  Mason  Centre  in  1844.  He  learned  the  car- 
penter's trade  of  his  father.  Worked  at  Fitchburg,  and 
afterwards  at  St.  Johnsbury,  Vt.,  for  Fairbanks  &  Co., 


THE    KIMBALL   FAMILY.  293 

29 

on  scales  for  weighing.  In  1854  he  removed  to  Law- 
rence, Kansas,  and  became  a  partner  with  his  brothers. 
They  built  a  small  steamer  for  lumbering  on  the  Kansas 
Eiver.  This  department  of  their  business  was  managed 
by  him.  He  built  a  residence  on  Kentucky  and  Win- 
throp  street,  adjoining  his  brother's. 

In  Quantrell's  raid,  Aug.  21,  1863,  his  house  was 
sacked.  He  concealed  himself,  and  for  a  time  was  safe; 
but  they  set  the  house  on  fire,  when  he  attempted  to 
escape,  bnt  was  made  a  prisoner  and  shot  in  his  own 
door-3'ard.  He  was  unarmed  and  had  made  no  resist- 
ance. That  wound  was  not  fatal,  and  he  Avas  left  for  a 
few  moments,  when  he  made  his  way  to  a  wooded  ravine 
near  his  house.  Here  he  was  discovered,  and  again  shot, 
this  time  fatally.  He  was  seen  by  a  colored  woman  to 
raise  his  hands  afterwards.  That  was  his  only  move- 
ment. He  was  not  found,  although  in  sight  of  his 
house,  till  the  afternoon  of  that  fearful  day,  wiien  he 
was  numbered  with  the  one  hundred  and  forty-three  who 
were  killed  outright  or  died  of  their  wounds.  Scarce  one 
of  them  was  armed,  and  many  were  shot  as  if  for  the 
amusement  of  the  murderers.  "It  is  doubtful  if  the 
world  has  ever  seen  such  a  scene  of  horror;  certainly  not 
outside  of  savage  warfare."  {Rev.  R.  Cordley.)  He  was 
buried  at  Oak  Hill  Cemetery.  By  the  exertions  of  his 
wife  and  daughter  the  flames  were  put  out  and  the  house 
saved.     In  that  ravaged  home  they  still  (1872)  live. 

Frederick  was  married  by  Rev.  Mr.  Davis,  at  Fitch- 
burg,  Oct.  20,  1852,  to  Martha  Farnsworth,  born  Oct.  16, 
1831,  daughter  of  Levi  and  Abigail  (Matthews)  Farns- 
worth, of  Fitchburg.  After  the  deatli  of  her  husband 
she  united  with  the  Congregational  Church  at  Lawrence. 
She  remained  a  widow  till  July  3,  1868,  when  she  mar- 
ried Walter  Howell,  of  Lawrence,  by  whom  she  has 
Clarence  Howell,  born  October,  1871. 

They  had  two  children: 

(i)  Ella^  Frederika  Kimball,  born  at  St.  Johns- 
bury,  Vt.,  April  15,  1854,  was  a  babe  wlien  her  parents 
went  to  Lawrence.  She  was  well  educated  at  the  public 
schools,  which  were  early  established  there.     She  after- 


294        HENRY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

29 

wards  graduated  at  the  Kansas  TTniversity,  and  took 
high  rank.  She  united  with  the  Congregational  Church 
at  the  time  her  mother  did,  and  is  active  in  the  enter- 
jorises  of  the  day.  Her  education  and  tact  eminently 
qualify  her  for  argument.  Her  quiet  and  easy  deport- 
ment give  her  an  uncommon  influence  in  the  contro- 
versies of  the  day.  She  was  married  at  Lawrence,  Oct. 
6,  1875,  to  Leland  Cooper.  He  is  an  express  messenger 
on  the  Lawrence  and  Galveston  Texas  Eailroad. 

We  have  been  lately  informed  that  Ella®  Frederika,  as 
well  as  her  cousin  Emogen,**  "were  in  the  State  Univer- 
sity only  about  three  years;  but  like  most  young  ladies 
they  followed  their  natural  inclinations  and  graduated 
in  the  great  school  of  matrimony." 

They  have  one  child: 

(1)  Nellie®  Farnsworth  Cooper,  born  Aug,  20, 
1876, — thus  by  one  month  snatching  away  from  her 
cousin,  Grace  Warren  Landrum,  the  honor  of  being  the 
youngest  named  in  the  "  Dunster  Descendants." 

(ii)  Lillian®  Maria  Kimball,  born  at  Lawrence, 
June  26,  1861,  died  at  Fitchburg,  Dec.  1,  1863. 

10.  James'  Kimball,  (Benoni  and  Mary^  Dunster, 
Jason,^  Jason,*'  Henry, ^  Jona.,^  Henry, ^)  the  tenth  child 
of  Benoni  and  Mary  (Dunster)  Kimball,  was  born  at 
Mason  Village,  April'  18,  1831.  United  with  the  Second 
Congregational  Church  at  Mason  Village,  July  1,  1849, 
Eev.  William  Olmstead.  He  learned  carpentry  of  his 
father,  and  worked  at  cabinet  making  and  school  furni- 
ture at  Lebanon,  N.  H.,  and  also  at  Weston,  Mass.  He 
kept  a  store  for  a  time  at  Mason  Village.  When  the 
Government  put  its  whole  facilities  at  Springfield  to 
making  guns  he  went  there  and  was  employed  in  stock- 
ing them.  Soon  became  an  inspector  of  the  work.  That 
position  he  held  until  the  Providence  Tool  Co.  obtained 
the  large  contract  for  guns  of  the  Turkish  Government. 
These  arms  were  to  be  examined  by  U.  S.  Lispectors, 
and  he  was  detailed  for  that  purpose.  He  now  resides 
in  Providence,  E.  I.  He  married  Sept.  1,  ]853,  Maria 
Corbin,  born  at  New  Ipswich,  N.  H.,  Nov.  20,  1829, 
daughter  of  Stephen  and  Mary  (Scjuires)  Corbin.     He 


THE    KIMBALL   FAMILY.  295 

29 

(Mr.  C.)  was  the  first  conductor  on  the  Mason  Village 
Railroad;  was  afterwards  conductor  on  the  Ohio  Central 
Railroad.  He  was  killed  at  Si)encer's  Station,  on  tiiat 
road,  April  22,  18G2. 

They  have  had  but  one  child: 

(i)  James*  Newton" Kimball,  {James,'' Benoni^  mid 
Mary  D.,)  was  bora  at  Weston,  Mass.,  Feb.  2G,  1855. 
lie  graduated  at  the  Springfield  High  School,  and  has 
since  been  engaged  in  practical  engineering.  Was  long 
employed  on  the  Springfield  Water  Works."  Since  their 
completion  has  been  surveying  on  railroads. 

11.  Marshall'  Kimball,  {Benoni  and  Mari/^  D., 
Jason,''  Jason,*  Henry,^  Jona.,"^  Henry ,^)  born  at  Mason 
Village,  Oct.  2,  1832,  is  a  farmer,  and  owns  the  Dunster 
homestead  Lot  Xo.  10,  in  18th  Range.  He  was  edu- 
cated at  public  schools  and  Appleton  Academy,  at  New 
Ipswich;  taught  school  in  Mason  three  terms;  united 
with  the  Mason  Village  Congregational  (Orthodox) 
Church,  May  6,  1849,  by  profession;  was  elected  dea- 
con of  that  church  Nov.  5,  1858,  which  office  he  still 
sustains.  He  enlisted  in  Co.  C,  16th  N.  II.  Regt.  In- 
fantrv  Vols.  Oct.  18,  1862;  stationed  at  Louisiana;  mus- 
tered^out  at  Concord,  X.  H.,  Aug.  2,  1863.  In  1867  he 
built  himself  a  large  and  convenient  barn,  from  the 
cupola  of  which  he  fell,  striking  on  the  roof  and  other 
portions  till  he  reached  the  ground,  40  feet  in  all.  He 
was  severely  lamed,  from  which  he  has  not  entirely  re- 
covered. In  L8T0  he  was  one  of  the  Selectmen,  and  has 
held  other  offices  iu  town.  He  was  married  A[ay  15, 
1859,  at  the  village  church,  by  Rev.  George  E.  Fisher, 
to  Louisa  Judith  Allen,  born  Oct.  7,  1832,  daughter  of 
Oliver  and  Harriet  (Harding)  Allen,  of  Mason.  She 
graduated  at  Appleton  Academy,  and  taught  school  in 
Mason  and  other  towns  constantly  for  ten  years,  and 
.  ^  until  her  marriage.  She  is  gifted  as  a  writer.  She 
'*^  wrote  the  "  Song  of  Welcome"  for  the  Mason  Centen- 
nial Celebration,  1868.     They  have  six  children: 

(i)      Elmer®  Allex  Kimball,  born  Jan.  J 8,  1862. 
He  is  now  at  New  Ipswich  Academy. 
*26 


296         HENKY   DUNSTEK   AND    HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

29 

(ii)  Mary®  Lillian  Kimball,  born  June  2,  1864. 
Her  grandmother  was  buried  from  the  same  house  on 
the  same  day. 

(iii)    Fked.®  Benoni  Kimball,  born  March  18,  1866. 

(iv)    Lena®  Harriet  Kimball,  born  Xov.  22,  1870. 

(v)     Flora®  Louisa  Kimball,  born  Feb,  8,  1872. 

(vi)    Edward®  Marshall  Kimball,  b.  Sept.  13, 1873. 

12.  Mary'  Kimball,  {Benoni  and  Mary^  D.,)  born 
Feb.  10,  1834,  united  with  the  Mason  Vilhige  Church  by 
profession,  July  1,  1849,  Rev.  William  Olmstead.  She 
was  a  tailoress  for  ten  years.  Was  on  a  visit  to  lier 
brother  James,  and  became  affianced  to  James  Madison 
Post,  of  Lebanon,  JST.  H.  He  was  the  son  of  Edwin  and 
Mrs.  Eunice  (Gove)  Post,  of  that  town.  Her  maiden 
name  was  Eunice  Wells  Hall.  He  is  a  cabinet  and  fur- 
niture maker.  They  were  married  at  her  father's,  on 
the  Dunster  homestead,  by  Rev.  E.  Davis,  of  Fitchburg, 
Dec.  3,  ]863.  Reside  at  "East  Lebanon,  N.  H.  They 
have  four  children: 

(i)     Edwin®  Dunster  Post,  born  Feb.  3,  1866. 
(ii)    Jennie®  Maria  Post,  born  Ajiril  7,  1868. 
(iii)  Kate®  Estelle  Post,  born  Oct.  6,  1870. 
(iv)  Ella®  Louisa  Post,  born  Oct.  20,  1873.  - 

13.  Ellen'  Maria  Kimball,  {Benoni  and  3fary^ 
D.,)  was  born  at  the  Dunster  homestead,  Mason  Village, 
June  29,  1835.  With  her  brother  James  and  sister  Mary 
she  united  with  Mason  Village  Church,  July  1,  1849. 
She  was  a  tailoress.  Married  Sept.  2{),  1858,  James 
Henry  Ferguson,  born  at  West  Boylston,  Mass.,  Jan.  7, 
1836,  son  of  James  and  Sylvia  (Stevens,  daughter  of 
Hon,  John  Stevens)  Ferguson.  He  was  a  machinist. 
Went  to  Wisconsin  and  staid  a  few  months,  thence  re- 
moved to  Lawrence,  Kansas,  where  he  was  in  company 
with  Kimball  Brothers.  In  1862  he  came  to  Springfield, 
Mass.,  and  was  engineer  at  the  U.  S.  Armory.  In  1865 
he  went  into  the  electrotype  business  (Lovejoy,  Son  & 
Co.,  Vanderwater  street,  New  York).  Owns  a  residence 
in  Brooklyn.     They  have  had  three  children: 


THE  KIMBALL  FAMILY.  297 

29 

(i)  Fred.®  Ikying  Ferguson,  born  at  Lawrence, 
Kansas,  July  8,  1859,  died  July  18,  1860,  buried  there. 

(ii)  James*  Willis  Ferguson,  born  at  Brooklyn, 
X.  Y.,  April  14,  18GG.  He  died  of  di})htlieria.  at  Brook- 
lyn, Nov.  18,  1874,  was  buried  in  the  Kimball  grou])  at 
Mason  Village  Cemetery. 

(iii)  Eya*  May  Ferguson,  born  May  14,  1873,  at 
Brooklyn,  at  their  new  residence,  No.  121  St.  Mark's 
Avenue. 

14.  ED^VARI)^  Kimball,  born  at  the  Dunster  home- 
stead, Dec.  26,  1836,  learned  the  machinist's  trade  at 
Putnam's  shop,  Fitchburg.  Went  to  Kansas  with  his 
brother  Franklin,  and  became  a  member  of  the  firm. 
He  boarded  with  his  brother  Samuel  at  the  time  of  the 
raid,  and  with  him  was  taken  from  the  house  and  con- 
fined at  the  temporary  prison.  He  was  a  celebrated 
musician.  From  his  funeral  sermon  by  his  pastor.  Rev. 
Richard  Cordley,  we  add  a  few  items  of  his  life — have 
no  room  for  more. 

"The  life  of  our  Brother  Kimball,  and  the  power  we 
)ioio  feel  he  had  over  us,  suggest  important  thoughts. 
1.  It  shows  tlie  power  of  a  true  life.  There  was  no  pre- 
tense about  Mr.  Kimball.  There  was  no  attempt  at 
influence — no  striving  for  position.  He  was  merely 
true.  His  life  made  its  own  mark.  Fie  was  firm  on 
all  moral  subjects,  never  failing  to  speak  or  act  when 
the  occasion  came;  but  he  was  never  obtrusive,  never 
trying  to  make  himself  felt.  Meet  him  where  you 
would  he  was  always  the  same.  On  the  street,  in  his 
foundry  amid  the  blaze,  dust  and  heat,  he  was  the  same 
genial,  Christian  gentleman  as  when  in  the  concert  room 
or  the  church.  2.  The  example  of  our  brother  shows 
that  a  man's  power  is  from  his  life,  not  his  professions. 
Mr.  Kimball  made  few  professions.  He  never  told  of 
himself.  People  never  would  have  known  him  from  his 
words.  3.  Fidelity  will  always  be  appreciated.  Our 
brother  was  a  marked  illustration  of  this  law.  During 
the  twelve  years  past  he  has  been  a  great  deal  more  than 
a  leader  of  the  choir.  It  is  this  unselfish  fidelity  that 
has  so  won  our  hearts.     It  has  not  been  merelv  in  gath- 


298         HEXRT    DUNSTER   AND   HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

29 

ering  and  leading  the  choir  that  he  worked,  but  in 
everything  that  pertained  to  the  music  of  the  church. 

"When  this  church  edifice  was  just  above  its  founda- 
tion, and  our  resources  fell  far  short  of  its  completion, 
he  suggested  the  idea  of  an  organ,  '  to  cost  at  least 
$3000.'  I  told  him  '  it  was  preposterous  to  think  of  it. 
The  society  was  already  burdened  to  its  utmost  en- 
durance. They  could  scarcely  finish  their  church.  It 
would  only  discourage  to  add  more.'  He  replied:  'I 
have  a  plan  to  reach  the  organ  and  not  to  interfere  with 
the  church.  We  will  form  the  young  people  into  an 
Organ  Association,  and  by  socials,  festivals  and  con- 
certs, in  two  years  from  the  dedication  of  the  church, 
we  shall  have  an  organ  and  no  one  feel  the  poorer  for  it.' 
He  carried  out  his  plan  vigorously,  and  we  dedicated  the 
organ  wWi  the  church,  instead  of  two  years  later. 

"I  am  amazed  to  see  how  his  quiet  influence  has  per- 
meated every  stage  of  our  growth.  But  we  miss  him 
most  for  the  personal  ties  which  had  grown  so  strong. 
As  I  look  back  over  the  past,  a  jjanorama  passes  before 
me.  As  scene  after  scene  goes  by,  one  familiar  face  ap- 
pears prominent  in  all.  I  see  the  city  in  ruins.  A  worse 
than  savage  foe  has  laid  it  waste.  The  bodies  of  the 
dead  are  strewn  here  and  there.  The  houses  of  the  peo- 
ple are  in  ashes.  The  'mourners  go  about  the  streets.' 
Prominent  in  that  picture  is  the  face  of  our  brother, 
coming  out  of  peril  and  threatening  and  abuse,  but  com- 
ing safe,  and  helping  cheerfully,  yet  sadly,  in  the  work 
of  restoration. 

"I  see  a  procession'of  our  citizen  soldiers  marching 
up  Massachusetts  street  on  their  return  from  the  border. 
It  had  been  a  time  of  peril  and  painful  anxiety.  Price 
and  his  army  were  on  the  border,  and  our  friends  had 
been  ordered  out  to  repel  his  attack.  They  had  been 
gone  from  us  several  weeks.  For  two  days,  battle  had 
been  going  on  almost  within  hearing.  One  morning  it 
was  announced  that  our  friends  were  returning  and 
victory  was  assured.  I  saw  them  first  as  they  came  up 
from  the  bridge,  dusty  and  worn  and  weary.  The  first 
face  I  recognize  is  that  of  our  brother  before  us,  as  he 
marched  before  the  rest,  with  the  band  playing  that 


THE    DUNSTER   FAMILY.  299 

29-30 

familiar  air,  which  never  sounded  so  ghid  before,  '  When 
the  boys  come  marching  home  again.' 

"  His  phice  is  vacant.  His  chair  and  stand  are  draped 
in  black.  In  the  delirium  of  his  last  sickness  he  would 
often  be  talking  of  music.  His  last  words  were,  '  Fading, 
still  fading.'" 

He  died  Sept.  23,  1873,  of  typhoid  fever,  at  his  brother 
Samuel's  house,  which  had  long  been  his  home.  The 
funeral  services  were  at  the  Congregational  Church,  and 
were  closed  by  the  singing  of  that  hymn  which  had  ap- 
parently been  the  theme  of  thought  as  he  passed  to  the 
harmony  of  Heaven.  He  had  never  been  married.  Was 
interred  at  Oak  Hill  Cemetery,  Lawrence. 

15.  Abby'  Jane  Kimball,  was  the  youngest  of  that 
family  of  fifteen  children,  all  of  whom  were  singers  and 
musicians  of  a  high  order,  and  attained  that  position 
mostly  by  self-culture  around  the  family  board.  Their 
father  was  never  known  to  even  attempt  music,  and  their 
mother  was  an  indifferent  singer,  although,  like  most 
children,  she  "went  to  the  singing  school." 

Abbv  was  born  at  the  Dunster  homestead,  May  23, 
1838.  "  She  united  with  Mason  Village  Church,  May  3, 
1857.  She  was  a  tailoress,  and  worked  at  that  place 
until  her  marriage,  at  the  residence  of  her  father,  by 
Eev.  S.  J.  Austin,  Dec.  28,  1858,  to  John  Robinson 
Lynch,  born  July  21,  1828.  He  was  the  son  of  George 
Henry  and  Margaret  (Curry)  Lynch.  He  united  with 
the  Mason  Village  Church  by  profession,  July  4,  1858. 
He  is  a  blacksmfth,  and  doing  a  good  business  at  the 
shop  he  has  built  on  a  part  of  the  Dunster  homestead, 
near  the  railroad  station,  where  he  has  also  built  a  good 
house  by  his  industry  and  frugality.  They  are  both  in- 
terested in  the  welfare  of  the  church  and  community. 
Being  without  children  she  takes  an  active  part  in  Sab- 
bath Schools  and  other  religious  objects.  She  possesses 
the  wedding  ring  of  Mary  Davis  Dunster,  referred  to  on 
page  257. 

30.  iii.  IsAiAti^  Dv:ss,TER,{Jason,^  Jason,* Henri/,^ 
Jona.,^  Henrij,^)  the  third  child  of  Jason ^  and  Mary 
(Meriam)   Dunster,    was  born   Dec.   10,  1798.     He   re- 


300        HENRY    DUNSTER   AISTD   HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

30 

ceived  the  common  school  education  of  those  days,  and 
Avorked  on  the  farm  of  his  father  till  of  age  (1819),  when 
he  went  to  Weston,  Mass.  .  Before  leaving  Mason  he  was 
affianced  to  Betsey  Warren  Russell,  daughter  of  Hub- 
bard and  Sarah  (Warren)  Russell,  and  sister  of  Moses 
Russell,  who  married  Betsey  Dunster,  his  sister.  She 
died  Jan.  31,  1820.  While  living  at  Weston,  which  he 
did  several  seasons,  he  became  acquainted  with  and  mar- 
ried, Feb.  6,  1823,  Ruth  Sophia  Fisk,  daughter  of  Jonas 
and  Abigail  (Pierce)  Fisk,  of  Waltham.  (Mrs.  Fisk, 
afterwards  Mrs.  Haywood,  died  at  Weston,  Oct.  6,  1875, 
aged  9-4  years. )  She,  Ruth  Sophia,  was  born  Sept.  27, 
1804.  They  resided  a  while  at  Waltham,  then  removed 
to  Mason,  N.  H.,  where  he  bought  two-thirds  of  the 
Dunster  homestead,  and  lived  on  it  until  about  1830; 
thence  removed  to  New  Ipswich,  N.  H.,  afterwards  to 
Holliston,  Mass.  They  also  lived  at  Bustleton,  Pa., 
Sanford,  Me.,  and  at  Providence,  R.  I.;  in  these  three 
places  employed  in  print  works.  From  Providence  he 
went  to  Attleboro,  Mass.,  where  he  carried  on  a  farm 
bought  by  his  son.  He  died  of  liver  complaint,  at  that 
farm,  Aug.  4,  1857;  was  interred  at  Mount  Hope  Ceme- 
tery in  that  town.  His  widow  has  lived  most  of  the 
time  since  at  Attleboro.     They  had  two  children: 

1.  Eliza'  Sophia  Dunster,  born  at  Waltham,  April 
5,  1824,  lived  with  her  parents  in  their  re^ieated  remov- 
als; employed  the  latter  part  of  these  years  in  the  print 
works,  sewing  calico  for  printing.  At  Providence  she 
married  Moses  Mason  (his  second  wife),  Aug.  29,  1844. 
He  was  the  son  of  John  and  Hannah  (Richardson- 
Campbell)  Mason,  and  was  born  at  Attleboro,  May  29, 
1802.  When  married  he  was  engaged  in  store  keeping 
at  Providence.  In  the  spring  of  1847  they  removed  to 
Attleboro  Falls,  where  he  traded  seven  years.  He  now 
resides  on  the  old  homestead,  and  is  engaged  in  farming. 
She  died  there,  Aug.  7,  1800.  He  has  a  third  wife. 
They  had  eight  children: 

(i)  Moses ^  Henry  Mason,  {Moses  and  Eliza''  Dun- 
ster, Isaiah,^  Jason,^  Jason,^  Henry, ^  Jonatlian,^  Henry, ^) 
born  at  Providence,    R.    I.,   May  27,   1845.     Common 


THE    MASON    FAMILY.  301 

30 

scliool  education.  When  IG  years  old,  learned  the  ma- 
chinist's trade,  at  which  he  worked  only  a  year.  Was 
then  clerk  and  paymaster  for  11.  ]\[.  Richards  and  E.  I. 
Kichards  &  Co.,  jewelers.  Afterwards  attended  Bryant, 
Stratton  &  Mason's  Commercial  College,  in  Providence. 
While  there,  was  kei)t  by  them  writing  in  the  Quarter- 
master's office,  making  out  the  claims  of  Ehode  Island 
against  the  United  States  for  service  of  troops  in  the  re- 
bellion. Afterwards  went  to  New  York  city,  as  sales- 
man and  clerk  for  G.  W.  Shepherdson,  and  Webster  & 
Gage  (a  Chicago  house).  Returiied  to  Attleboro,  and 
was  clerk,  paymaster,  &c.,  for  H.  M.  Daggett,  for  three 
years.  Then  went  into  the  jewelry  business  at  Attleboro 
Falls  on  his  own  account,  (Mason,  Draper  &  Co.)  which 
they  are  still  very  successfully  carrying  on.*  He  was 
married  at  the  Second  Congregational  Church,  Rev.  H. 
Peloubet,  Nov.  11,  1869,  to  Emma  Maria  Staples,  born 
April  30,  1850,  daughter  of  Isaac  Braman  and  Frances 
Dyer  (Penno)  Staples,  of  Attleboro.     Have  no  children. 

(ii)  Chakles*  Edward  Masox,  {Moses  and  Eliza'' 
Dunster,)  was  born  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  Jan.  25,  1817. 
His  parents  removed  to  Attleboro  Falls  same  year,  where 

*At  a  church  fair,  held  Thanksgiving  week,  1876,  an  easy 
chair  was  among  the  articles  to  be  disposed  of  by  voting  to  the 
most  popular  man  in  Attleboro.  On  examining  the  "votes 
actually  cast,"  Henry  Mason  had  a  plurality  of  4U4,  ascertained 
by  an  ''  honest  count."  At  the  close  of  the  fair  six  stalwart  men 
bore  the  chair  on  their  shoulders  to  his  residence,  preceded  by 
the  Band,  who  had  in  like  manner  obtained  a  new  flag,  followed 
by  a  torchlight  procession.  (The  torches  had  been  used  a  few 
nights  before  by  the  bewildered  politicians.)  The  boys  on  the  road 
let-off  fireworks  as  a  side  show.  Mr.  Brady  made  a  set  speech,  in 
which  he  spoke  of  the  veneration  with  which  the  chair  would  be 
looked  upon  by  the  recipient's  posteritij,  and  made  a  formal  pre- 
sentation of  it.  Mr.  ]\Iason  made  an  impromptu  reply,  and  in- 
vited his  guests  to  a  generous  entertainment,  got  up  on  strict 
temperance  principles.  The  voters  had  paid  ten  cents  each  as 
"intimidation."  The  church  made  $200  00  by  the  chair.  The 
Band  had  a  chance  to  show  off  their  new  flag.  The  audience 
were  well  pleased  with  their  hospitality,  and  retired  without  say- 
ing a  word  on  the  "  Presidential  muddle,"  which  had  been  the 
onl}'  talk  for  three  weeks;  and  Henry  sits  quietly  in  his  beautiful 
broVn  silk  seat  adorned  with  scarlet  puffs,  with  his  unsolicited 
title  of  "  The  most  popular  man  in  Attleboro." 


302         HENEY    DUNSTER   AXD    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

he  attended  school,  and  assisted  his  father  in  the  store. 
When  15  years  old,  went  to  learn  the  trade  of  machinist, 
staid  about  three  years;  thence  went  to  H.  M.  Daggett's 
braid  factory  as  engineer  of  the  steam  and  water  power. 
In  1865  went  to  the  American  Screw  Co.,  Providence, 
and  Avorked  on  machines  for  making  screws,  where  he 
staid  about  three  years;  then  came  to  East  Attleboro  and 
worked  at  making  Jewelers'  tools.  Went  into  the  jew- 
elry business  on  his  own  account  in  1871.  He  married 
Oct.  20,  1872,  Lydia  Carpenter  Bliss,  born  Jan.  4,  1849, 
only  daughter  of  Eodolphus  and  Lydia  Short  (Carpen- 
ter) Bliss.  They  reside  at  her  father's,  where  she  super- 
intends the  housekeeping. 

(iii)  Samuel^  Dunster  Mason,  {Moses  and  Eliza'' 
D.,  Isaiah,^  Jason,^  Jason,*'  Henry, ^  Jona.,'^  Henry,^)  born 
at  Attleboro,  Sept.  4,  1848,  was  named  for  his  great- 
uncle.  Went  to  public  school,  ''Falls"  district,  and 
one  year  at  North  Attleboro  High  School.  In  1865  he 
learned  the  machinist's  trade;  staid  about  a  year;  was 
then  employed  by  H.  M.  Daggett  to  do  repairs  and  keep 
the  machines  for  making  braid  in  order.  When  only  18 
years  old  he  was  sent  to  Paterson,  X.  J.,  to  start  a  braid 
establishment  there.  In  1869  went  to  E.  Blackinton's 
jewelry  establishment  as  a  tool  maker.  Jan.  1,  1870,  he 
Avent  into  company  Avith  his  brother  Henry  and  Charles 
Draper,  (Mason,  Draper  &  Co.)  in  the  jcAvelry  business. 
TheA"  haA^e  been  successful.  He  is  A^er}^  ingenious  at  that 
business.  Their  establishment  is  at  Attleboro  Falls.  He 
married  Dec.  10,  1873,  Emma  Frances  Draper,  sister  to 
their  partner,  and  only  daughter  of  Lorenzo  and  Harriet 
XcAvell  (ShaAA')  Draper,  North  Attleboro.  She  AA^as  born 
July  23,  1843.     They  reside  at  the  "Falls." 

(iv)  Carrie^  (Caroline)  Eliza  Mason,  the  fourth 
child  and  eldest  daughter  of  Moses  and  Eliza'  Sophia 
(Dunster)  Mason,  AA^as  born  at  Attleboro,  Feb.  23,  183R. 
After  her  school  education  she  Avas  emploA'ed  at  Daggett's 
braid  factory,  assorting,  counting  and  packing.  At  this 
she  became  A'ery  dexterous  and  perfectly  correct.  These 
qualifications  Avere  fully  appreciated  and  rewarded.  In 
1870  she  AA'ent  to  Chicago  with  a  friend,  just  married, 
and   has   resided  Avith    her   ever   since,    prefering    that 


THE    MASON    FAMILY.  303 

30 

locality  to  her  birth-place.  They  now  reside  at  South 
Evanston,  about  ten  miles  down  the  lake  from  Chicago, 
She  is  unmarried. 

( v)  Edward  *  S.  Mason,  {Moses  and  Eliza''  Du nster, ) 
born  Dec.  21,  1851,  was  a  member  of  the  High  School. 
Worked  at  machinery  about  two  years,  then  went  to  E. 
Blackinton  &  Co.'s,  taking  the  place  left  by  his  brother 
Samuel.  In  July,  1869,  he  joined  the  Baptist  Church 
(Calvinistic)  by  profession.  He  married  Dec.  7,  1871, 
Mary  Caroline  Pierce,  daughter  of  Wightman  and  Pa- 
tience Carr  (Kingman)  Pierce,  from  Pennsylvania.  She 
is  a  member  of  the  same  church.  He  built  a  house  on 
a  lot  bought  of  his  father,  in  which  they  now  live.  He 
is  now  employed  by  his  brother  Charles.  They  have 
two  children: 

(1)  Lillian^  Eliza  Mason,  born  Oct.  9,  1872. 

(2)  Edward'  Henry  Mason,  Nov.  1,  1874. 

(vi)  Adilaid*  Louisa  Mason,  born  Jan.  9,  1854, 
died  Feb.  7,  same  year. 

(vii)  Marietta^  Frances  Mason,  born  Dec.  28, 1854, 
received  a  good  common  school  education.  For  several 
years  has  been  employed  in  making  jewelry  at  Freeman 
&  Co.'s. 

(viii)  Frederick^  Mason,  {Moses  and  Eliza''  Dun- 
sfer,)  born  at  Attleboro,  Jan.  22,  1857,  had  a  good  edu- 
cation at  common  and  High  School.  Is  learning  the 
jewelry  business  at  his  brother's,  (Mason,  Draper  &"Co.) 

2.  Henry ^  Dunster,  {Isaiah,^  Jason,^  Jason,^  Hen- 
ry,^ Jona.,'^  Henry, ^)  the  second  child  and  only  son  of 
Isaiah  and  Ruth  Sophia  (Fisk)  Dunster,  was  born  at 
New  Ipswich,  N.  H.,  April  13,  1831.  After  a  common 
school  education  he  learned  the  jewelry  business  at 
North  Attleboro,  in  which  he  was  engaged  a  number  of 
years  as  maker,  salesman,  and  manufacturer  on  his  own 
account,  in  Attleboro,  Providence  and  other  places.  He 
did  a  variety  of  other  business,  in  Chicago,  St.  Louis 
and  Cincinnati.  Was  engaged  as  director  of  amuse- 
ments at  St.  Louis  Opera  House.  Made  a  voyage  to 
England  and  France  as  director  of  a  Panorama  of  the 
27 


304         HENEY    DUXSTER   AND   HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

30 

Rebellion,  but  the  scenes  being  mostly  Union  victories, 
it  "did  not  draw,"  and  was  a  losing  concern.  On  his 
return  he  was  made  Inspector  of  the  Providence  Horse 
Car  Eailroad.  For  the  last  three  years  he  has  been  a 
commercial  agent  for  large  establishments  of  ready-made 
clothing  in  Providence  and  Boston.  He  has  resided 
mostly  in  Providence.  He  married  at  Providence,  E.  I., 
Oct.  6,  1851,  Jane  Mellen,  born  Feb.  3,  1831.  They 
have  two  children: 

(i)  Ida^  Louisa  Dunster,  {Henry,''  Isaiah,^  Jason,^ 
Jason,*'  Henry, ^  Jona.,^  Henry, ^)  born  at  Attleboro,  Sej^t. 
25,  1852,  was  educated  at  Providence.  She  graduated 
in  June,  1871,  with  distinguished  honor,  at  the  High 
School,  after  passing  through  all  the  grades  in  lower 
schools,  and  attending  the  High  School  the  whole  four 
years.  She  wrote  the  valedictory  poem,  which  elicited 
much  applause.  She  united  with  the  Fourth  Baptist 
Church  on  profession  of  faith,  and  was  baptized  by  im- 
mersion. May  28,  1871,  by  Rev.  Dr.  A.  H.  Granger. 
Was  dismissed  in  October,  1874,  by  letter  to  the  church 
in  Shreveport,  Louisiana,  of  which  her  husband  was  then 
pastor.  She  was  married  at  her  father's,  in  Providence, 
h<'/-iir  by  Rev.  Dr.  Granger,  Bfecp*%=*§?S-,  to  William  Warren 
2.;  J^yjf^  Landrum,  eldest  son  of  Rev.  Sylvanus  and  Eliza  Jane 
(Warren)  Landrum.  He  was  born  at  Macon,  Georgia, 
Jan.  18,  1853.  Was  converted  at  ten  years  of  age,  and 
united  with  the  First  Baptist  Church  of  Savannah,  Ga. 
when  thirteen  years  of  age,  his  father  being  at  that  time 
pastor  of  the  church.  He  was  j^repared  for  college  at 
the  Chatham  Academy  in  Savannah,  and  in  his  fifteenth 
year  entered  the  Freshman  class  of  Mercer  University, 
then  located  at  Penfield,  Georgia.  Here  he  spent  two 
and  a  half  years. 

In  February,  1870,  he  came  North,  and  entered  the 
Sophomore  class  of  Brown  University,  Providence,  R.  1. 
He  graduated  in  1872,  being  nineteen  years  of  age,  and 
the  youngest  member  of  his  class.  In  September,  same 
year,  he  entered  the  Southern  Baptist  Theological  Sem- 
inary, Greenville,  South  Carolina,  to  prepare  for  the 
ministry  of  his  chosen  denomination,  in  which  for  four 
generations  his  ancestors  had  been  preachers  of  the  word. 


THE    DUNSTER   FAMILY.  305 

30 

His  theological  course  closed  April,  1874,  and  in  May, 
same  year,  he  was  ordained  at  Jefferson,  Texas,  where 
the  Southern  Baptist  Convention  was  then  in  session. 
The  ordaining  Presbytery  were: 

Rev.  Dr.  Jno.  A.  Broadus,  Greenville,  S.  C. 

"       "   William  Williams,         "  " 

"       "   H.  A.  Tupper,  Richmond,  Virginia. 

"       "   William  Carey  Crane,  Independence,  Texas. 

''       ''    Sylvanus  Landrum,  Memphis,  Tenn. 

"  "  Gr.  Daniel,  Waltharnville,  Georgia. 
He  was  installed  pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church  at 
Shreveport,  Louisiana,  the  same  month,  May,  1874. 
In  the  spring  of  1876  he  was  called  to  take  the  pas- 
toral charge  of  the  First  Baptist  Church  at  Augusta, 
Georgia,  where  he  is  now  preaching.  While  at  the 
Theological  Seminary  he  spent  all  his  vacations  and 
spare  time  in  preaching  to  the  colored  population  at  the 
rice  and  cotton  plantations,  much  to  their  benefit,  but  a 
serious  inroad  on  his  health.  His  wife  is  now  (June, 
1876,)  on  a  visit  to  her  friends  in  New  England.  He 
came  North  about  the  middle  of  July, 

Personating  the  little  one,  he  writes:  "My  father 
wanted  a  boy,  but  since  God  has  decided  a  girl  was  bet- 
ter, he  has  not  complained.  Indeed,  he  and  my  mother 
are  just  as  happy  and  proud  as  any  two  people  ever  were. 
I  have  my  father's  eyes  and  hair,  but  my  other  features 
are  exactly  like  my  mother.  I  know  my  uncle  will  be 
proud  of  the  Dunster  blood  in  his  little  '  great  grand- 
child.'" [Vicariously.] 

(1)  Grace*  WARREiif  Landrum,  born  at  Providence, 
R.  I.,  53  Vernon  street,  July  18,  1876,  at  1^  o'clock,  P.  M. 

The  story  entitled  "Grace  Warren,"  published  by  the 
Southern  Baptist  Publication  Society,  had  its  scene  at 
the  old  homestead  of  Gen.  Eli  Warren,  in  Houston  Co., 
Georgia,  He  was  the  great  grandfather  of  the  "little 
one,"  From  this  she  has  her  name.  She  is  the  young- 
est "descendant"  heard  from, 

(ii)  Hei^rt^  Dunster,  {Henry,''  Isaiah,^  Jason,^ 
Jason,*  Henrii,^  Jona.,"^  Henry, ^)  the  only  son  of  Henry 
and  Jane  (Mellen)  Dunster,  was  born  at  Providence,  R,  I., 


306         HENRY    DUNSTEE   AND   HIS    DESCENDAXTS. 

30-31 

May  25,  1857.  Has  passed  through  all  the  grades  of  the 
j)nblic  schools  in  Providence,  and  finished  last  year  at 
the  High  School.  He  entered  Brown  University,  Sept., 
1876.  (Harvard  by  choice,  but  Brown  by  convenience.) 
He  has  been  much  assisted  in  his  education,  as  Avas  his 
sister  also,  by  their  Aunt  Sophronia  (Mellen),  Mrs.  Wil- 
liam Batchelder. 

We  forgot  to  mention  in  its  proper  place  the  receipt 
of  the  photograph  of  Henry®  Dunster,  who  was  "buried 
in  his  well,"  taken  soon  after,  with  his  crutches  on  his 
knees,  also  that  of  his  son  Henry,'  and  make  acknowl- 
edgment under  another  Henry®  Dunster,  who  is  drinking 
at  the  "Pierian  Spring."  By  our  neglect,  he  gets  an 
extra  notice,  free  of  exjjense,  which  really  belongs  to  his 
"  cousin."     Their  great  grandfathers  were  brothers. 

31.  iv.  Betsey'  Dunster,  {Jason,^ Jason,* Henry ,^ 
Jona.,"^  Henry^^  the  fourth  child  and  second  daughter 
of  Jason  and  Polly  (Meriam)  Dunster,  was  born  April 
20,  1801.  Her  mother,  whose  countenance  always 
brightened  at  the  mention  of  any  incident  in  her 
blameless  life,  related,  when  she  was  80  years  old,  that 
"her  husband  had  gone  down  to  the  east  part  of  Mason 
to  move  his  father  to  Ashburnham,  and  coming  home  in 
the  evening,  he  saw  a  light  in  the  'best  room,'  as  he 
came  out  of  the  woods,  and  knew  something  was  the 
matter,  and  Betsey  was  born  before  he  got  home."  There 
was  but  one  glass  window  in  that  end  and  only  five  in 
the  whole  house,  of  12  lights — 6  by  8  glass.  It  was  two 
stories  in  front  and  one  in  the  rear,  with  a  lean-to  roof. 
The  other  windows  were  sawed  from  the  "feather  edged" 
boards,  and  held  in  place  by  cleats  nailed  across  them, 
after  the  fashion  of  those  days.  It  stood  end  to  the 
road;  and  the  front  yard,  to  which  there  was  no  access 
except  over  a  fence  or  through  the  front  door,  which 
was  seldom  opened,  had  no  ornament  except  the  old 
well,  whose  "swape"  dates  back  in  principle  to  the  days 
of  Pharaoh,  when  it  was  called  "Shadoof,"  and  in  prac- 
tice, to  the  forest  trees;  and  the  old  cider  mill,  which 
stood  close  by.  The  sweet  juice,  pressed  out  by  ponder- 
ous wooden  screws,  was  enticing  to  the  children.     The 


THE   DUNSTER   FAMILY.  307 

31 

youngest  boy,  just  beginning  to  run  about  and  imitate 
tbe  larger  cbildren,  attemi)ted  to  "suck  cider  throngb  a 
straw."  Wanting  tbeir  dexterity,  he,  lost  his  bulance 
and  was  immersed  in  the  foaming  liquid  which  filled  the 
tub.  His  eldest  sister  was  near,  and  clrew  him  out,  un- 
concious.    He  lived  to  tell  tlie  story  to  his  grand-children. 

Mason  Village  at  that  time  had  only  four  houses,  three 
of  which  had  similar  roofs,  but  they  were  ornamented 
with  additional  windows. 

The  old  cider  mill  long  since  made  room  for  a  larger 
and  more  convenient  house.  Improvement  added  a  wing 
to  either  end  of  that.  The  old  house  got  out  of  the  way 
of  "progress,"  its  frame  enlarged,  makes  a  tenement  in 
the  village.  The  old  well  is  covered  up  by  the  culinary 
department.  The  centennial  year  put  a  French  roof  in 
place  of  the  strong  one  which  withstood  the  "gale  of 
'15,"  and  saved  from  death  the  present  owner's  mother; 
and  memory,  shocked  with  the  history  of  individual  im- 
piety, social  faithlessness,  national  wrongs  and  their  re- 
moval by  a  greater  crime,  baptized  in  blood,  revisiting 
those  early  scenes,  asks,  without  hope,  for  this  innocent, 
happy,  natal  home. 

In  that  "best  room,"  the  only  plastered  one  in  the 
house,  with  its  "nicely  sanded  floor,"  that  mother,  sit- 
ting in  the  "great  chair,"  often  gathered  her  ruddy 
children  in  double  row  about  her  knee,  and  with  a  silent 
prayer  for  its  fulfilment,  taught  them  that  "  Man's  chief 
end  is  to  glorify  Grod,  and  enjoy  Him  forever." 

This  contrasts  strangely  with  the  fashionable  presiding 
genius  of  a  palatial  residence  voluntarily  turning  over 
her  feeble  offspring,  deprived  of  air  and  light,  to  the 
paid  for  sympathy  of  the  wet  nurse,  who  vainly  strives 
to  23ut  a  bloom  on  its  faded  cheek  by  artificial  cosmetics 
and  the  "invisible  rays"  of  blue  glass.  In  the  end  fol- 
lowed, perhaps,  to  its  grave  by  "cunning  women,  such 
as  are  skillful  of  lamentation,"  as  the  Prophets  put  it. 

Betsey  was  the  pet  of  her  grandfather,  who  died  when 
she  was  four  years  old.  She  received  a  common  scliool 
education  only.  She  married  May  27,  1819,  Moses  Eus- 
■sell,  born  in  Mason,  Dec.  3,  1793,  son  of  Hubbard  and 
Sarah  (Warren)  Russell,  born  in  Cambridge,  and  a 
*27 


308        HENRY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

31 

nephew  or  brother  of  that  Jason  Russel  who  was  bar- 
barously shot  in  his  own  house  on  the  return  of  Percy's 
men  from  Lexington.  They  were  married  at  her  father's, 
by  Rev.  Ebenezer  Hill,  and  immediately  commenced 
housekeeping  at  a  residence  he  had  just  built  on  his 
father's  farm.  Here  they  lived  until  184:2,  when  he  sold 
the  place,  and  bought  a  farm  in  the  westerly  part  of 
Mason  (Lot  No.  6  in  Range  8),  Avhich,  now  makes  the 
southeast  corner  of  Greenville.  His  farm,  by  an  error 
in  an  ancient  survey,  was  claimed  by  both  towns,  and  he 
was  taxed  by  both,  but  was  finally  given  up  by  Mason, 
and  no  longer  resided  on  "disputed  territory."  He  and 
his  wife  both  united  by  profession  to  Mason  Centre 
Church,  and  remained  members  of  that  church  till  the 
church  was  organized  at  Mason  Village,  of  which  they 
are  now  members.  They  are  in  tolerable  health  for  so 
old  people. 

They  have  had  four  children : 

1.  Isaiah  '  Dunster  Russell,  {Moses  and  Betsey^  D., 
Jason,^  Jason,^  Henry,^  Jona.,^  Henry,^)  born  at  Mason, 
Aug.  1,  1820,  and  named  for  his  uncle,  had  the  scanty 
advantages  of  schools  in  that  jiart  of  the  town.  Wlien 
quite  a  young  man,  scarce  out  of  boyhood,  he  was  em- 
ployed by  Jolm  Boynton,  the  founder  of  the  common 
school  fund  of  ten  thousand  dollars  in  Mason,  in  selling- 
tinware,  of  which  Mr.  B.  was  a  large  manufacturer.  In 
1843  he  engaged  in  the  sale  of  hardware,  stoves  and 
house  furnishing  materials,  carrying  on  at  the  same  time 
a  shop  for  tin,  sheet  iron  and  copper  work.  In  business 
he  has  been  unusually  successful.  Has  a  very  pleasant 
residence  on  the  hill  east  side  of  Worcester,  Mass.  His 
business  has  all  been  done  in  that  city.  In  1841  he 
united  with  the  Mason  Centre  Congregational  Church  on 
profession.  Is  now  a  member  of  the  Union  (Orthodox) 
Church,  Worcester.  He  married,  at  Worcester,  April  7, 
1846,  Nancy  Maria  Wentworth,  born  at  Worcester,  Sept. 
27,  1825,  daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Nancy  (Fisk)  Went- 
Avorth.  She  is  a  descendant  of  John  Wentworth,  Gov- 
ernor of  New  Hampshire,  when  the  charter  of  Mason 
was  obtained  (17G8).  Hon.  John  Wentworth,  of  Illinois, 
often  known  by  the  cognomen  of  "  Long  John,"  was  of 


THE    KUSSELL   FAMILY.  309 

31 

the  same  family.     She  is  a  member  of  same  church. 
They  have  had  three  children: 

(i)  Addison^  Charles  Russell,  born  Feb.  7,  1847, 
died  Aug.  10,  1851;  buried  at  Rural  Cemetery  in  Wor- 
cester. 

(ii)  Charles^  Addison  Russell,  {Isaiah,'^  Moses, 
and  Betsey^  Dunster,)  born  at  Worcester,  March  2,  1852, 
was  educated  at  Worcester  common  and  High  School, 
and  also  took  private  lessons  with  a  class  of  young  men, 
taught  by  Mr.  Harris  R.  Green,  Principal  of  the  Oread 
Seminary.  He  entered  Yale  College,  and  graduated  in 
class  1873.  He  was  selected  as  one  of  the  oarsmen  in 
their  boat  races,  and  has  several  trophies  of  success,  such 
as  silver  oars,  &c.  He  is  now  (1876)  city  editor  of  the 
Worcester  Press.     Is  unmarried,  April,  1877. 

(iii)  Annie®  Maria  Russell,  the  only  daughter  of 
Isaiah  and  Maria  (Wentworth)  Russell,  born  Aug.  10, 
1864,  is  now  receiving  her  education  at  the  Worcester 
schools.  She  is  making  rapid  advances,  (too  rapid,  we 
think, )  and  excels  in  drawing.  A  specimen  of  her's  was 
selected  by  a  committee  in  Boston,  from  the  whole  State 
samples,  to  be  sent  to  the  Centennial  at  Philadelphia  as 
one  of  the  seven  only  sent  for  that  purpose;  and  a  speci- 
men also  was  selected  for  the  neatness  of  an  arithmetical 
problem  for  the  same  purpose. 

2.  JuLiA^  Ann  (Juliana)  Russell,  [Moses  and 
Betsey^  Dunster,)  born  at  Mason,  east  side.  May  7, 1824, 
was  named  from  the  infant  of  her  grand-parents,  who 
died  by  a  fall  from  the  bed.  She  united  with  the  church 
at  Mason  Centre  the  first  Sabbath  in  January,  1840,  by 
profession.  She  was  married  at  her  father's,  west  side, 
by  Rev.  Joseph  B.  Hill,  Sept.  22,  1842,  to  Henry  Hazard 
Sawin,  born  Sept.  15,  1821,  at  Shelburne,  Mass.,  and 
named  in  honor  of  Com.  Oliver  "Hazard"  Perry.  He 
was  son  of  Belaand  Rebecca  (Barber)  Sawin.  In  "Notes 
of  the  Sawins,"  page  34,  he  is  rejiresented  as  son  of  Moses 
Sawin.  This  is  incorrect.  He  is  brother  of  Rev.  The- 
ophilus  Parsons  Sawin,  and  descended  from  John  Sawin, 
of  Watertown.  They  first  lived  at  Mason  Centre,  then  at 
the  village.     In  1852  they  removed  to  Holden,  Mass., 


310         HENEY    DUNSTEK    AND    HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

31 

where  he  carried  on  the  tin  plate  business,  and  about 
1(S62  removed  to  Worcester,  where  he  carries  on  phimb- 
ing  and  tinware  making.  He  united  with  the  Mason 
Centre  Church  in  May,  1840,  at  which  time  about  thirty 
were  added  to  that  church.  He  and  his  wife  are  both 
members  of  Plymouth  Church  in  Worcester.  They 
have  had  eight  children: 

(i)  Abbie^  Jane  Sawin,  born  at  Mason,  July  10, 
1843,  married  at  Worcester,  Sept.  3,  1867,  Charles  Allen, 
born  in  Springfield,  Sept.  30,  1843.  He  is  a  machinist, 
and  resides  in  Worcester.  "  He  enlisted  for  three  months 
in  April,  1861,  from  New  York  city,  in  the  'New  York 
Zouave  Regiment; '  served  with  his  regiment  four  months, 
they  being  kept  over  time;  enlisted  for  three  j^ears  from 
Worcester,  Oct.  5,  1861,  in  the  25th  Massachusetts  Eegi- 
ijient;  was  with  Burnside  at  the  taking  of  Roanoke, 
Newbern,  and  in  other  battles  in  North  Carolina;  re- 
enlisted,  Dec.  17,  1863,  in  the  same  regiment  for  three 
years,  as  a  veteran  volunteer;  was  in  the  different  battles 
in  Virginia,  under  Gen.  B.  F.  Butler;  with  his  regiment 
joined  Grant's  army  in  May,  1864;  was  shot  through  the 
ankle  and  had  his  foot  smashed  by  a  piece  of  shell  at 
Cold  Harbor,  June  3,  1864;  did  not  recover  from  wounds 
so  as  to  rejoin  the  regiment  and  was  discharged.  He 
was  but  16  years  old  when  he  enlisted  in  the  New  York 
regiment;  had  been  refused  acceptance  in  Massachusetts 
regiments  on  account  of  his  minority,  and  '  scooted ' 
over  to  New  York  without  his  parents'  permission  and 
enlisted.  When  wounded  at  Cold  Harbor  he  was  left 
nearly  a  day  lying  on  the  battle  field,  and  it  was  some 
three  days  before  he  was  removed  from  the  field  hospital 
to  comfortable  quarters.  He  served  as  private  all  through 
his  term."     {C.  A.  Russell.)     They  have  one  child: 

(1)     Maud'  Ada  Allen,  born  Oct.  18,  1868. 

(ii)  James ^  Adison  Sawin,  born  Feb.  2,  1845,  at 
his  grandfather's,  died  there,  Feb.  19,  1845;  buried  at 
Mason  Centre.  After  the  death  of  his  sister  he  was  re- 
interred  beside  her  at  Mason  Village. 

(iii)  Mary*  Eliza  Sawin,  born  Jan.  18,  1846,  died 
at  her  grandfather's,  March  22,  1848. 


THE   SAWIN"   FAMILY.  311 

31 

(iv)  George*  Henry  Sawin,  {Henry,''  Moses  and 
Betsey^  D.,)  born  at  Mason  Village,  April  6,  1849,  is  a 
joiner  and  house  carpenter.  He  united  in  1867  with  the 
Methodist  Church,  Park  street,  Worcester.  He  married 
Aug.  24,  1868,  Amanda  Ward  Merry  field,  born  Feb.  3, 
1849,  daughter  of  Lonis  Ward  Merryfield,  of  West  Boyls- 
ton.  Mr.  M.  owned  the  first  cultivated  farm  in  that 
town,  and  his  descendants  hold  the  place  by  possession 
only.  No  deeds  were  ever  passed.  They  have  had  two 
children,  both  born  at  Worcester,  where  the  parents 
reside. 

(1)  Bertha'  G.  Sawin,  born  May  10,  1871,  died 
the  next  day. 

(2)  Waldo'  Henry  Sawin,  born  Sept.  15,  1872. 

(v)  Willie*  Herbert  Sawin,  the  fifth  child  of  H. 
H.  and  Juliana  (Russell)  Sawin,  born  at  Mason  Village, 
Sept.  4,  1852,  united  with  the  Old  South  Church  (Con- 
gregational) at  Worcester,  July,  1871.  He  withdrew 
from  that  church  and  united  with  Grace  Church  (Meth- 
odist) in  that  city.  He  is  a  partner  with  his  father, — 
plumbing,  &c.  He  married  June  17,  1875,  Jennie 
Hobbs,  adopted  daughter  of  Mrs.  William  Hobbs,  of 
Worcester.  ^ 

(vi)  Eliza*  Maria  Sa^in,  born  at  Holden,  May  4, 
1855,  joined  Grace  (Methodist)  Church  in  Worcester,. 
June,  1873.  She  died  at  Worcester,  Dec.  20,  1874,  of 
typhoid  fever;  was  buried  at  Mason  Village. 

(vii)  Flora*  Marcella  Sawin,  born  at  Holden, 
Oct.  4,  1857,  with  her  sister  united  to  Grace  Church, 
June,  1873.  She  was  married  at  the  same  time  her 
brother  Willie  was,  June  17,  1875,  to  Herbert  Eugene 
Noyes,  son  of  Samuel  and  Lucy  (Morse)  Noyes,  of  Wor- 
cester. He  is  a  member  of  Grace  Church  also.  They 
reside  in  Worcester.     He  is  a  boot  maker. 

(viii)  Lelia*  Goodhue  Sawin,  born  Sept.  4,  1861,  at 
Holden,  resides  with  her  parents.  Is  a  member  of  the 
High  School. 

3.  Adison'  Eussell,  the  third  child  of  Moses  and 
Betsey  (Dunster)  Russell,  born  at  Mason,  June  27,  1831, 


812         HENRY    DUNSTER   AND   HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

31-32 

was  sorely  afflicted  Avith  asthma  from  a  child  until  he 
removed  to  his  brother's  in  Worcester,  where  he  was 
nearly  free  from  it.  Whenever  he  visited  his  parents  at 
Mason  he  had  a  return  of  the  complaint,  which  again 
subsided  at  Worcester.  When  a  boy  he  did  not  lie  down 
for  weeks,  but  slept  in  an  upright  chair.  He  united 
by  profession  to  the  Mason  Village  Congregational 
Church,  July  4,  1852.  He  was  employed  by  his  brother 
Isaiah  D.  as  salesman.  This  trust  he  discharged  with 
care  and  faithfulness.  About  1868  he  went  into  the 
stove  and  hardware  business  on  his  own  account.  He 
married  Sept.  14,  1865,  Carrie  Elizabeth  Carey,  of 
Slirewsbury,  Mass.  He  was  taken  sick  with  typhoid 
fever  in  the  fall  of  1874,  and  did  not  fully  recover  his 
health,  but  lived  till  July  11,  1875.  He  was  buried  at 
Worcester.  His  widow,  who  is  a  member  of  the  same 
church,  still  lives  in  one  of  his  houses.  His  brother 
settled  his  estate.     They  had  no  children. 

4.  Eliza'  Jane  Russell  {Jane  not  on  the  town 
records),  the  fourth  child  of  Moses  aiid  Betsey®  (Dun- 
ster)  Russell,  born  Dec.  16,  1837,  was  educated  at  Mason 
public  schools  and  five  terms  at  Appleton  Academy,  New 
Ipswich.  She  taught  school  twelve  terms  in  Mason, 
^New  Ipswich,  Wilton,  Holden,  and  Leominster,  each 
term  being  the  summer  of  the  year,  except  in  her  own 
district,  where  she  taught  in  winter  also.  March  1, 
1857,  she  united  by  profession  to  the  Orthodox  Congre- 
gational Church  at  Mason  Village,  of  which  she  is  still  a 
member.  She  married  Sept.  28,  1869,  Henry  Lyman 
Newell,  born  at  Pepperhill,  Mass.,  Oct.  31,  1844.  His 
father  Avas  of  Mason,  and  brother  to  Ezra  NcAvell, 
the  early  blacksmith  and  scythe  maker  at  Mason  "  Har- 
bor." He  is  a  member  of  the  same  church.  They  live 
on  their  father's  homestead,  and  take  care  of  the  "old 
folks  "  with  great  kindness.     They  have  no  children. 

32.  V.  Samuel®  Dunster,  (,/«so;;,V«so«,'^(?w7/,^ 
Jona.,"^  Henry, ^)  the  fifth  child  of  Jason  and  Mary  (Polly) 
(Merium)  Dunster,  was  born  Aug,  1,  1803.  His  early 
education  was  limited  to  the  small  district  school,  two 
miles  distant,  keeping  about  eight  Aveeks  in  Avinter  and 
ten  in  summer.     At  sixteen,  he  had  not  begun  arithme- 


SAMUEL®    DUNSTER.  313 

32 

tic  or  geography.  He  then  attended  Appleton  Academy 
six  weeks,  and  received  the  preceptor's  certificate  of 
being  well  qualified  (?)  to  teach  a  common  school, 
which  he  did  for  several  winters  with  success.  In  the 
summer  of  1821  he  worked  with  his  brother-in-law  at 
house  carpentry,  having  until  that  time  worked  on  his 
father's  farm  (what  Avork  he  did,  for  that  he  was  not 
noted).  The  next  season  he  was  engaged,  in  his  native 
village,  to  learn  the  trade  of  machinist.  Here  he  de- 
Toted  his  spare  time  to  practical  self-education;  became 
a  surveyor  of  land,  and  did  engineering  in  his  own  and 
the  adjacent  towns. 

In  the  spring  of  1826  he  went  to  Dover,  N.  H.,  and 
worked  as  a  machinist,  most  of  the  time  as  a  pattern 
maker.  The  next  year,  without  any  solicitation  on  his 
part,  or  even  knowledge  of  their  wishes,  he  was  selected 
by  the  managers  of  the  Dover  (now  the  Oocheco)  Manuf'g 
Co,  as  a  suitable  person  to  learn  the  calico  printing  busi- 
ness, with  a  view  of  its  future  superintendence.  Calico 
printing  in  this  country  was  then  in  its  infancy,  and  the 
operatives  were  mostly  foreigners  of  not  the  best  habits. 
He  was  engaged  in  order  to  remedy  troubles  which  were 
of  frequent  occurrence.  Although  he  knew  nothing  of 
the  business  he  was  paid  a  liberal  salary  and  engaged  for^ 
five  years.  Before  the  expiration  of  that  time  the  print 
works  changed  owners,  which  involved  a  change  of  man- 
agers. He  recovered,  however,  the  salary  for  the  whole 
time.  Afterward  he  went  to  Bustleton,  near  Philadel- 
jDhia,  in  Pennsylvania,  and  there  became  a  partner  in  a 
print  works  on  the  Pennypack  Creek,  and  worked  at 
machine  printing.     In  this  business  he  was  successful. 

In  1834  he  sold  out,  and  soon  after  bought  the 
"Province  Mill,"  on  the  Mousum  Eiver,  in  the  village 
of  Springvale,  Sanford,  Maine.  A  stock  company  was 
formed  under  the  name  of  Franklin  Manuf'g  Co.  He 
fitted  up  the  works,  and  managed  them  for  three  years, 
when,  dissatisfied  with  the  selling  agents  in  Boston,  who 
got  control  of  the  stock,  he  withdrew  from  the  manage- 
ment, but  unwisely  held  his  interest  In  the  company, 
which  failed  soon  after,  with  a  total  loss  of  his  stock  and 
nearly  all  his  property. 


314        HENRY    DUNSTER   AND   HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

32 

In  1838  he  bought  a  large  farm  in  Durham,  N.  H.,  to 
which  he  removed  and  staid  a  year,  then  went  to  Ehode 
Island,  leaving  his  family  in  Durham  till  1840.  He 
worked  as  a  machine  jirinter  with  Gov.  Allen,  in  Provi- 
dence, and  at  other  places,  till  1842,  when  he  went  to 
Coventry,  R.  I.,  to  superintend  a  print  works  there, 
which  was  removed  the  next  year  to  Johnston.  This 
he  managed  till  1848,  Avhen  he  again  went  to  Gov.  Allen's 
as  a  printer. 

In  1852  he  was  offered  the  situation  of  Assistant  Man- 
ager of  the  Cocheco  Print  Works,  where  he  had  begun 
that  business.  He  held  that  place  till  1859,  when  he 
again  returned  to  Rhode  Island.  He  there  furnished 
cloth  for  a  print  works,  but  the  owner  of  the  works  was 
unable  to  go  on,  which  left  him  with  a  large  quantity  of 
cloth  in  the  hands  of  New  York  merchants,  who  took 
another  large  slice  out  of  his  savings.  Tired  of  change, 
and  disposed  to  save  a  competence  (estimated  by  Agur's 
standard)  for  himself  and  family,  and  entertain  his 
friends  with  "farmers'  fare,"  he  bought  the  Old  Par- 
sonage of  Rev.  Mr.  Weld,  in  West  Attleboro,  Mass. 

Before  leaving  his  native  town  he  was  made  a  Free 
Mason.  This  made  him  a  better  man,  and  gave  him  an 
introduction  to  many  friends  in  Dover  and  elsewhere. 
He  attained  a  prominent  position  in  that  order,  and  was 
at  one  time  presiding  officer  over  Lodge,  Chapter  and 
Council,  member  of  Encampment,  &c. 

He  hates  "humbug,"  {that  Avord  expresses  it  best) 
whether  in  religion,  politics,  or  social  life.  He  early 
wished  to  know  more  of  his  ancestors  and  kindred. 
Comparative  leisure  in  later  life,  with  good  health,  have 
favored  that  desire. 

In  religious  views  he  is  not  easily  described.  Educated 
in  childhood  and  taught  the  Westminster  Catechism  by 
a  pious  mother,  and  at  her  death  given  a  copy  of  the 
"New  England  Primer"  as  her  special  bequest,  which 
he  preserves  with  care,  as  containing  the  ground-work 
of  his  mother's  faith,  he  would  endorse  that  system, 
divested  of  some  of  its  rough  corners  and  unfortunate 
technicalities.  In  his  younger  days  the  wranglings  about 
forms  of  faith  kept  him  aloof  from  })ersonal  attention  to 


SAMUEL®    DUNSTER.  315 

S2 

religion.  When  he  bought  the  Springvale  Print  Works, 
various  denominations  were  holding  union  religious 
meetings  in  one  of  the  larger  buildings — the  first  he 
had  ever  seen.  This  gave  him  interest,  which  was  fol- 
lowed by  new  views  of  Divine  goodness,  human  welfare 
and  personal  duty.  After  the  meetings  closed,  as  he 
occupied  a  prominent  position  in  that  village,  great 
efforts  were  made  to  gather  him  into  all  of  the  churches. 
To  this  he  expostulated  with  a  minister,  and  was  ans- 
wered that  "There  was  no  harm  in  pushing  his  ship  by 
the  others."  Not  choosing  to  take  passage  for  the  sake 
of  coming  out  a  "length  ahead,"  he  has  remained  free 
from  sectarian  obligations. 

He  was  married  at  Rochester,  N.  H.,  by  Eev.  Isaac 
Willey,  Oct.  12,  1828,  to  Susan  Perkins  Dow,  born  July 
22,  1806,  in  Hollis,  Maine,  and  daughter  of  Jeremiah 
and  Betsey  (Perkins)  Dow,  descended,  on  the  father's 
side,  from  Henry  Dow,  of  Watertown,  and  on  the 
mother's,  through  Solomon,*  from  Joshua  Perkins,  one 
of  the  early  settlers  of  Dover.  They  have  had  five 
children: 

1.  Mary''  Susan  Duxster,  born  at  Dover,  N.  H., 
Aug.  9,  1830,  died  at  Bustleton  (now  a  part  of  Philadel- 
phia), Penn.,  June  27,  1832,  of  whoojaing-cough.  She 
was  remarkable  for  early  development — more  like  an 
adult  than  a  child.  She  was  buried  at  Penn}^:)ack 
Cemetery,  in  Bustleton,  near  the  church.  Her  head- 
stone is  inscribed:  "The  Grave  of  Mary  Susan  Dun- 
STER,  born  Aug.  9,  1830,  at  Dover,  New  Hampshire. 
Died  June  27,  1832.  Premature  in  Intellect,  she  was 
lovely  even  in  Death,  Let  the  little  stranger  rest 
among  you." 

2.  Mary^  Susan  Dunster  (named  for  her  sister), 
the  second  child  of  Samuel®  and  Susan  (Dow)  Dunster, 
born  June  27,  1833,  at  La  Grange  Village,  Bustleton, 
Penn.,  was  educated  at  the  schools  in  Providence.  Was 
in  the  High  School  when  her  father  removed  from  Prov- 

*  Maj.  Sol.  Perkins  was  the  first  to  subscribe  for  tlie  burying 
ground  at  Rochester,  N.  H.,  and  the  first  one  buried  in  it.  {John 
M.  Duffee's  Oration.) 

28 


316         HENRY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

32 

idence  to  Durham,  N.  H.  Slie  was  married  at  Provi- 
dence, by  Eev.  J.  Leavett,  Dec.  25,  1849,  to  Joseph  E. 
Smith,  Iheu  a  salesman  in  William  Hale's  hardware 
store,  in  Dover,  N.  H.  They  kept  house  in  Dover. 
He  afterwards  went  to  San  Francisco,  Cal.,  where  he 
was  in  the  hardware  business.  Expecting  that  to  be 
their  permanent  home,  she  went  in  the  summer  of  1853 
via  Cape  Horn,  in  the  "Water  Witch,"  Capt.  Plumer. 
The  ship  sprung  a  leak  off  Brazil,  and  put  into  Rio 
Janeiro,  where  she  spent  three  or  four  months,  most  of 
the  time  (after  going  through  the  acclimating  fever)  in 
the  mountains,  at  Bennett's  Hotel,  Tijuca,  amid  coffee 
plantations,  tropical  fruits,  and  in  a  lovely  climate. 
The  ship  was  repaired,  and  reached  San  Francisco,  but 
on  the  next  voyage  made  a  total  wreck. 

Mr.  Bennett  remembered  her,  and  a  few  years  after 
sent  her  a  beautiful  suit  of  photographs  of  his  hotel,  and 
other  views  of  magnificent  Brazilian  scenery. 

They  resided  at  San  Francisco  till  the  great  fire  in 
1854.  Being  burnt  out,  with  a  loss  of  everything,  she 
returned  to  her  fathers  in  Dover,  by  the  way  of  Pana- 
ma, before  the  railroad  was  done,  riding  across  the 
Isthmus  on  mule  back.  She  resided  with  her  father 
most  of  the  time  until  the  death  of  her  sister,  Sept.  17, 
1873.  Since  that  time  she  has  had  the  care  of  her  sis- 
ter's children,  in  Chicago.  She  is  a  member  of  the 
Episcopal  Church;  was  confirmed  by  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop 
C.  Chase,  Oct.  27,  1861,  at  Dover,  N.  H.  They  had 
two  children: 

(i)  Alice®  Smith,  born  at  Dover,  N.  H.,  Dec.  23, 
1850,  died  at  Providence,  Aug.  15,  1851;  carried  to 
Dover  for  burial  at  Pine  Hill  Cemetery. 

(ii)  Helen®  Smith,  born  at  Dover,  April  18,  1855, 
died  at  Dover,  Sept.  7,  same  year,  was  buried  beside 
her  sister. 

3.  Edward'  Swift  Dunster,  {Samuel,^  Jason,^ 
Jason,*  Henry,^  Jonathan,'^  Ilenry,^)  the  third  child  of 
Samuel  and  Susan  (Dow)  Dunster,  was  born  at  the  vil- 
lage of  Springvale,  Sanford,  Me.,  Sept.  2,  1834.  He  was 
named  after  Dr.  Edward  Swift,  an  eminent  physician  of 


EDWARD'    SWIFT   DUNSTER.  317 

32 

Easton,  Peun.,  who  was  an  intimate  and  respected  friend 
of  his  father.  On  the  removal  of  liis  father's  family  to 
Providence,  R.  I.,  he  was  educated  at  the  pnblic  schools 
there,  was  admitted  to  the  High  School  at  twelve  years 
of  age,  and  was  there  prepared  for  College.  He  entered 
Harvard  University  (the  collegiate  course)  in  September, 
1852,  being  admitted  without  conditions.  He  graduated 
with  high  honors  in  18oG;  the  subject  of  the  "part" 
assigned  to  him  in  the  Commencement  exercises  being 
"The  first  President  of  Earvard  College."  A  severe 
illness — typhoid  fever — prevented  him  from  appearing 
at  Commencement.  On  his  recovery,  in  the  fall  of 
1856,  he  went  to  Newburgh,  N.  Y.,  and  became  private 
tutor  to  a  son  of  Henry  \V.  Sargent,  Esq.,  who  lived  in 
Fishkill,  just  across  the  Hudson  Eiver.  At  the  same 
time  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  M. 
Stephenson,  of  Newburgh.  Young  Sargent  was  ad- 
mitted to  Harvard  College  in  July,  1858.  He  then 
went  to  New  York  and  became  a  student  in  medicine 
with  the  celebrated  Prof.  E.  R.  Peaslee,  M.  D.,  with 
whom,  as  pupil  and  assistant,  he  remained  associated  for 
some  years,  and  the  intimacy  thus  begun  has  continued 
in  other  relations  ever  since.  Attended  medical  lectures 
at  Dartmouth  College  in  the  summer  of  1858,  and  in  the 
succeeding  winter  at  the  "  New  York  College  of  Medi- 
cine and  Surgery,"  where  he  was  graduated  M.  D.  in 
March,  1859,  having  received  the  highest  prize  awarded 
by  the  Faculty  for  general  proficiency  in  his  studies. 
Entered  St.  Luke's  Hospital  as  an  interne  on  the  day 
after  his  graduation,  and  remained  there  until  August 
following,  when  he  resigned  to  accept  the  sitiiation  of 
Demonstrator  of  Anatomy  in  Dartmouth  College,  Dr. 
Peaslee  being  then  the  Professor  in  that  department. 
Lectures  concluded,  he  returned  to  New  York  and  es- 
tablished himself  there  as  a  physician. 

When  the  war  broke  out  in  1861,  he  tendered  his  ser- 
vices to  the  State  authorities,  and  for  a  few  days  acted 
as  Surgeon  of  the  "Mozart"  regiment  of  volunteers. 
This  position  he  threw  up  to  enter  the  Regular  Army, 
into  which  he  was  admitted  in  June,  1861,  after  a  severe 
competitive  examination,  standing  second  in  a  class  of 


318         HENRY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

32 

twenty-eight.  His  commission  as  Assistant  Surgeon  is 
dated  Aug.  5,  1861.  He  was  ordered  to  report  for  duty 
with  Gen.  McOlellan,  who  was  then  in  the  field  in 
Western  Virginia,  operating  against  (len.  Lee.  He 
reached  the  advancing  army  on  Rich  Mountain  the  day 
after  the  engagement  there.  This  was  the  first  fight  of 
any  magnitude  in  the  rebelhon;  and  here  were  his  first 
experiences  of  the  horrors  of  war;  though  compared  with 
the  terrible  scenes  of  a  few  weeks  and  years  later  it  was 
the  merest  child's  play.  There  were  about  30  dead  and 
150  wounded,  most  of  whom  were  still  lying  on  the  field. 
At  Beverly,  five  miles  beyond,  at  the  base  of  the  moun- 
tain, he  established  hospitals  for  the  care  of  the  wounded. 
This  village  of  thirty  or  forty  houses,  which  he  entered 
just  at  dusk  that  evening,  was  absolutely  deserted — the 
inhabitants  having  been  told  that  they  would  all  be  mur- 
dered if  the  Union  Army  came  into  the  place. 

These  scenes  were  not  entirely  without  the  humorous 
element.  In  a  letter  to  a  friend  he  says :  ''  We  had  a  little 
war  for  our  own  amusement  last  Friday  night.  The  pick- 
ets somehow  got  frightened,  and  reported  seeing  large 
bodies  of  men  coming  doAvn  from  the  mountains.  They 
then  began  to  shoot  and  run.  It  was  really  dangerous 
to  be  outside  of  the  house.  I  slept  at  the  hospital  that 
night,  as  the  men  were  badly  scared  and  would  not  be 
assured  that  I  was  not  going  to  leave  the  town."  By  the 
transfer  of  the  Senior  Surgeon,  Dr.  Wirtz,  U.  S.  A.,  a 
few  weeks  later,  the  supervision  of  all  the  hospitals  here 
devolved  on  him. 

In  the  Cincinnati  Commercial  we  find  this  reference 
to  these  hospitals,  where  both  the  Southern  and  the 
Union  sick  and  wounded  were  cared  for  alike,  though 
in  separate  buildings:  "  Capt.  Zeke  Tatem,  of  Co.  D, 
is  here  sick  with  typhoid  fever.  He  is  at  the  residence 
of  a  Mrs.  Arnold*,  a  lady  who  has  won  the  confidence, 

*Mrs.  Arnold  was  a  sister  of  the  celebrated  "  Stonewall  "  Jack- 
son. Dr.  D.  made  his  headquarters  at  her  house  during  the  most 
of  his  stay  in  Beverly.  He  often  spoke  in  terms  of  admiration  of 
her  many  noble  virtues.  She  made  no  distinction  in  caring  for 
the  sick  and  wounded  on  either  side,  but  her  life  was  a  mission 
of  mercy  to  all.  Mrs.  A.  presented  to  Dr.  D.  a  dirk  knife  forged 
from  an  old  file.     The  blade  is  ten  inches  long,  and  the  scabbard 


edm'ard''  swift  dunrter.  319' 

32 

admiration  and  esteem  of  the  troops  for  unremitting 
attention  to  the  sick,  night  and  day.     The  bo3^3  call  her 

the  Florence  Xightingale  of  Western  Virginia. 

Dr.  Dunster,  U.  S.  A.,  an  efficient  and  attentive  sur- 
geon, is  in  charge  of  five  hospitals  here."  Dr.  D.  re- 
mained three  mouths  in  Beverly,  and  was  then  assigned 
to  the  duty  of  constructing  hospitals  at  -Grafton  and 
Parkersburgh,  and  subsequently  he  was  appointed  by 
Gen.  Rosecrans,  then  commanding  the  Department, 
Medical  Inspector  for  the  Southern  half  of  the  depart- 
ment. His  associate  in  the  other  half  was  Dr.  William 
A.  Hammond,  who  afterward  became  Surgeon-General 
of  the  army.  In  the  following  summer,  18G'^,  he  was 
ordered  East,  and  again,  much  to  his  satisfaction,  as- 
signed to  duty  with  his  old  commander.  Gen.  ^IcClellan, 
who  was  now  operating  on  the  "Peninsula"  in  Eastern 
Virginia.  He  was  made  Medical  Director  of  the  hos- 
pitals transports,  and  in  this  capacity  had  charge  of 
shipping  the  sick  and  wounded  of  the  army.  His  head- 
quarters were  located  first  at  the  "  White  House,"  on  the 
Pamunkey  Eiver,  and  when  this  place  was  abandoned, 
at  Harrison's  Landing,*  on  the  James  River.  In  the 
eight  days  prior  to  the  evacuation  of  the  last  place,  he 
shipped  nearly  13,000  sick  and  wounded  soldiers  on  the 
transports  under  his  command.  Some  of  these  were 
sent  to  the  hospitals  North;  others,  to  the  vicinity  of 
Fortress  Monroe.     Gen.  McClellan  being  at  this  juncture 

is  of  leather  fastened  with  lead  rivets.  It  was  left  at  Mrs.  A.'s 
house  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Atkinson,  President  of  the  Hampden 
Sydney  College,  who  commanded  a  companj- — mostly  enlisted 
from  his  own  students — in  a  Virginia  Confederate  regiment, 
which  was  in  the  fight  of  Rich  Mountain.  Tliis-weapon  is  pre- 
served as  a  memento  of  the  earnestness  with  which  even  good  men 
can  engage  in  deadly  conflict. 

*He  related  to  a  friend  afterwards:  "When  we  were  going  up 
the  .James,  T  was  charmed  liy  the'view  of  a  beautiful  plantation 
adorned  with  shrubbery  and  gardens.  When  driven  from  the 
'Wliite  House'  we  stopped  at  the  spot  I  had  so  much  admired 
when  going  up.  Not  a  green  thing  was  visible.  Contending 
armies  had  blotted  out  every  vestige  of  vegetation." 

Through  all  these  times  of  strife  he  went  unarmed.  The  sick 
and  wounded  gave  him  unbounded  confidence,  and  named  him 
*28 


330        HENRY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS.   * 

32 

relieved  of  the  command  of  the  army,  Dr.  D.  found  him- 
self, as  it  were,  without  an  occupation,  but  the  respite 
was  short,  for  in  a  few  days  lie  was  ordered  to  Philadel- 
phia to  assume  charge  of  the  Turner's  Lane  Hospital, 
and  at  the  same  time  to  act  as  member  of  the  board  for 
the  examination  of  candidates  for  the  Medical  Depart- 
ment of  the  army.  His  next  army  service  was  in  Wash- 
ington, as  an  assistant  to  the  Surgeon-General,  Dr. 
Hammond,  his  old  associate  in  Western  Virginia.  From 
thence  he  was  transferred  to  the  U.  S.  Military  Academy 
at  West  Point,  where  he  remained  until  his  resignation 
from  the  army,  Feb.  1,  1866.  He  was  brevetted  Captain 
and  ]\tajor,  tJ.  S.  A.,  and  before  his  resignation,  had 
passed  his  examination  for  promotion  to  the  grade  of 
full  Surgeon. 

On  resigning  from  the  army  he  went  to  New  York 
and  again  established  himself  in  the  practice  of  medi- 
cine. In  July  of  that  year  he  became  editor  of  the  New 
York  Medical  Journal,  and  held  this  position  for  five 
years.  At  about  the  same  time  he  was  appointed  one  of 
the  attending  physicians  to  the  "  Out  Door  Department" 
of  Bellevue  Hospital,  in  the  class  of  diseases  of  children. 
In  1868  he  was  appointed  Professor  of  Obstetrics  and 
the  Diseases  of  Women  and  Children  in  the  medical  de- 
partment of  the  University  of  Vermont,  at  Burlington. 
He  gave  the  lectures  here  but  two  years,  as  his  many 
and  exacting  duties  in  New  York  would  not  allow  him 
to  be  absent  for  the  time  required.  The  authorities  of 
the  College  very  generously  held  the  place  open  for  him, 
and  declined  his  resignation  until  1871,  having  given 
him  the  privilege  of  appointing  a  substitute  in  the  work. 
In   1869  he  was  appointed  to  the  same   chair  in   the 

the  "Little  Doctor."  One  of  the  wounded  whittled  from  a  single 
pine  stick  a  pair  of  pliers  and  pincers,  having  all  the  movements 
and  parts  in  one  ornamental  combination,  -which  he  gave  to  his 
surgeon.  It  was  all  he  had  to  give.  It  is  preserved  as  a  speci- 
men of  West  Virginia  whittling.  A  Southern  othcer,  who  was 
taken  prisoner  at  Rich  Mountain,  gave  the  Doctor  a  fine  set  of  ■ 
surgical  instruments,  in  gratitude  for  his  care  and  kindness  to  the 
Confederate  wounded.  The  ladies  of  Philadelphia  appreciated 
his  attention  to  the  sick  at  Turner's  Lane,  and  presented  him 
with  a  silver  headed  cane,  with  his  monogram  beautifully  in- 
tertwined. 


EDAVAKD^   SWIFT   DUNSTEK.  321 

32 

flourishing  Medical  College  of  Brooklyn,  known  as  the 
''Long  Island  College  Hospital."  He  filled  this  chair 
for  six  years,  resigning  in  1874.  In  July,  1869,  he  as- 
sumed the  charge — as  Resident  Physician — of  the  In- 
fants' Hospital  on  Eandall's  Island,  Xew  York  city,  and 
also  became  Physician  in  Chief  of  the  other  hospitals 
and  institutions  on  the  Island,  generally  known  as  the 
"Nursery."  In  these  institutions  there  were  constantly 
from  800  to  1000  children,  affording  an  unusually  large 
field  for  the  observation  and  study  of  the  diseases  of 
children.  The  mortality  iu  the  Infants'  Department 
had  been  a  "scandal  and  a  reproach  to  the  profession," 
but  by  the  adoj^tion  simply  of  improved  hygienic  sur- 
roundings and  securing  better  nm'sing  and  attendance. 
Dr.  D.  had  the  satisfaction  of  reducing  this  mortality  to 
a  point  almost  equal  to  the  mortality  at  large,  i.  e.,  of 
children  not  living  in  crowded  institutions. .  For  this, 
frequent  acknowledgments  were  made  in  the  reports  of 
the  "Commissioners  of  Charities  and  Corrections,"  who 
were  the  officials  in  charge  of  all  the  public  institutions. 

In  1871  Dr.  D.  went  to  Dartmouth  College  and  gave 
the  course  of  lectures  on  Obstetrics  for  his  former  pre- 
ceptor, Prof.  Peaslee,  who  now  generously  divided  his 
chair,  retaining  the  portion  devoted  to  Diseases  of  \Yomen 
and  assigning  to  Dr.  D.  the  teaching  of  Obstetrics.  This 
chair  he  still  holds,  and  yearly  makes  a  summer  visit  to 
New  Hampshire  for  the  purpose  of  delivering  his  lec- 
tures. In  1873  the  Professorship  of  Obstetrics  and 
Diseases  of  Women  and  Children  in  the  University  of 
Michigan  was  tendered  to  him,  and  after  due  delibera- 
tion was  accepted.  This  involved  the  resignation  of  his 
positions  in  the  institutions  on  Randall's  Island.  He 
removed  to  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan,  in  October  of  that 
year,  and  now  resides  there,  and  is  engaged  both  in 
teaching  and  in  the  practice  of  his  profession.  He  has 
contributed  many  papers  to  various  Medical  Journals,  a 
few  of  which  have  been  published  in  separate  form. 
They  are:  "The  Relations  of  the  Medical  Profession  to 
Modern  Education  ; "  "The  Logic  of  Medicine  ; "  " The 
History  of  Anaesthesia  ; "  "'  Xotes  on  Double  Monsters  ;  '* 
"' The  History  of  Spontaneous  Generation."     Is  a  mem- 


3-22         HENEY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

32 

ber  of  various  learned  societies,  mostly  medical.  Among 
them  are:  The  Xew  York  Academy  of  Medicine;  The 
New  York  Historical  Society;  The  American  Geographi- 
cal and  Statistical  Association;  The  Michigan  State  Med- 
ical Society,  &c.,  &c. 

He  married  Nov.  4,  1863,  Rebecca  Morgan  Sprole, 
born  at  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  Nov.  6,  1835,  daughter  of  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Sprole,  of  Newburgh,  N.  Y.,  formerly  Chap- 
lain and  Professor  of  Ethics  in  the  U.  S.  Military  Acad- 
emy, West  Point.     They  have  had  four  children: 

(i)  Clara^  Bertram  Dunster,  born  at  West  Point, 
N.  Y.,  Dec.  19,  1865. 

(ii)  William^  Sprole  Dunster,  born  in  New  Y''ork 
city,  Nov.  20,  1867,  died  at  Newburgh,  N.  Y.,  July  13, 
1868,  buried  there. 

(iii)  Bessie^  Morgan  Dunster,  born  in  New  York 
city,  (Randall's  Island,)  July  25,  1870. 

(iv)  Annie*  Eliza  Dunster,  born  in  New  York  city, 
(Randall's  Island,)  Sept.  1,  1873,  named  for  her  aunt 
who  died  in  Chicago  two  weeks  after  her  birth. 

4.  Caleb''  Emery  Dunster,  the  fourth  child  of 
Samuel  and  Susan  (Dow)  Dnnster,  was  born  at  the  vil- 
lage of  Springvale,  Sanford,  Me.,  July  27,  1836.  He 
died  there  Oct.  7,  same  year,  and  was  buried  at  the 
cemetery  at  Sanford  Corner.  A  suitable  stone  marks 
his  grave. 

5.  Eliza'  Annie  Dunster,  {Sanniel,^  Jason,^  Jason,*' 
Henry, ^  Jona.,'^  Henry, '^)  the  youngest  child  of  Samuel 
and  Susan  (Dow)  Dunster,  was  born  at  Durham,  N.  H., 
Oct.  24,  1838.  Upon  the  removal  of  her  father's  family 
to  Providence,  she  became  a  member  of  the  public 
schools,  and  passed  through  all  the  grades  up  to  the 
Hio-h  School,  to  which  she  was  promoted.  Her  father, 
just  at  this  time,  removed  to  Dover,  N.  H.,  where  she 
attended  Franklin  Academy  for  a  short  time,  and  then 
went  to  Bradford  (Mass.)  Academy,  from  which  slie 
graduated,  after  a  full  term  of  four  years,  with  the  liigh- 
est  honors,  although  the  youngest  in  the  class  of  1856. 
She  was  remarkably  fond  of  Latin  and  Geometry.     She 


ELIZA'   ANNIE    DUNSTEK.  323 

32 

could  demonstrate  from  memory  every  theorem  in  the 
first  four  books  of  Euclid  and  draw  the  diagram. 

At  her  graduation  she  wrote  the  parting  hymn,  which 
was  equivalent  in  that  institution  to  the  valedictory  of  a 
college  course.  After  graduation  she  attended  Mrs.  Wil- 
lard's  School  at  Troy,  N.  Y.  Closing  her  term  there  she 
went  to  St.  -Charles,  Illinois,  as  a  teacher.  While  there 
she  obtained  by  her  own  address  a  situation  in  the  Amite 
Female  Seminary,  at  Liberty,  Mississippi,  as  Instructor 
in  English  Literature,  and  other  branches.  The  trou- 
bles of  the  times  broke  up  that  seminary,  and  she  re- 
turned and  was  soon  after  appointed  a  teacher  in  the 
public  schools  at  Chicago.  In  topical  subjects,  which 
are  a  prominent  exercise  there,  she  raised  her  school  to  a 
higher  standard  than  any  other  one  in  the  city.  She 
taught  there  until  her  marriage. 

Very  early  in  childhood  she  manifested  an  aptitude 
for  rhyme,  which  she  improved  or  neglected  as  impulse 
prompted.  At  Bradford  she  wrote  several  pieces  for  the 
"Olive  Branch."  At  Chicago  she  wrote  for  two  years 
the  New  Year's  Address  for  the  "  Chicago  Tribune," 
the  leading  Kepublican  paper  of  the  West,  in  one  of 
which  she  reviewed  the  political  situation  with  the  tact 
of  an  old  campaign  leader.  At  New  Year's,  1867,  the 
submarine  cable  was  a  success,  and  the  Lake  Tunnel 
just  completed.     These  she  thus  notices: 

What  has  last  year  left  as  dowry  to  the  hand-maids,  Science,  Art? 

Ah!  how  rife  with  grand  achievements  is  the  Scientific  part! 

Buried  in  the  ocean's  bosom,  down  below  the  mighty  deep, 

'Mid  the  wrecks  of  myriad  vessels,  where  their  human  cargoes  sleep. 

Darts  the  lightning,  chained  and  tempered,  guided  by  a  single  thread, 

And  from  Europe  to  our  oivn  land,  instant  weal  or  woe  is  read. 

Wondrous  triumph  of  a  genius!    Whispered  words  are  eager  caught. 

Thro'  abyss  of  depth  unfathomed,  news  and  rumors  now  are  brought. 

Europe  bids  the  States  "  Good  morning  ;"  Liverpool  doth  New  York  greet! 

Fast  Chicago  joins  the  refrain.  Commerce  asks  the  price  of  wheat ; 

So  the  "Cable  "  prates  and  gossips,  spinning  out  the  watery  miles. 

And  the  "  Mermaids  "  laugh  and  listen,  laving  it  with  dripping  smiles. 

Fact!  it  seems  there's  nothing  left  now  ;  Science  may  her  hands  but  fold. 

Wonder  if  the  future  ages  can  excel  our  doings  bold! 

At  some  distant  "  Happy  New  Year  "  will  Orion's  glittering  belt 

Gossiped  be  in  star-hung  Cables,  and  his  salutations  felt? 

Shall  the  growling  "  Ursa-Major"  send  dispatches  to  the  earth. 

And  the  "Pleiads  "  hunt  their  Sister,  telegraphing  of  her  worth? 

Nor  forget  we  great  Chicago,  mighty  umpire  of  the  West, 
Wreathe  for  her  distinguished  honor,  for  she  leadeth  all  the  rest. 
Queen  she  is  of  all  the  cities ;  Commerce,  Art,  Religion,  too, 


324        HENRY    DUNSTER    AND   HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

32 

Here  have  built  their  proudest  temples ;  mammoth  structures  rise  to  view 
As  by  magic,  and,  completed,  always  are  the  largest,  best, 
Spite  of  foreign  grunts  and  envies,  spite  of  Eastern  sneers  and  jest. 
Who  but  she  has  wrought  a  "  Tunnel '"  poising  lakes  upon  its  back? 
Never  resting  till  she  brought  us  crystal  waters  o'er  its  track? 
Now  Farewell!  ye  slimy  waters!  fliiid  of  most  dubious  look! 
Henceforth  shall  our  drink  be  limpid,  lucid  as  the  babbling  brook. 
Here  "  adieux  "  we  make  in  parting,  to  our  piscatory  friends  ; 
Showers  of  blessings,  not  of  fishes,  haply  now  the  "  Tunnel "  sends. 

She  wrote  also  a  reminiscence  for  the  reunion  of  her 
class  at  her  old  Bradford  teacher's,  Miss  Gilman,  in 
Boston,  and  many  jJi'oductions  for  literary  societies  in 
Chicago,  of  which  she  was  a  member.  Always  wrote 
from  the  imj^ulse  of  the  moment,  and  never  thought  of 
preserving  copies  of  them. 

She  was  married  at  Beloit,  Wisconsin,  by  Rev.  Dr.  H. 
N.  Brinsmade,  July  5,  1862,  to  William  Taylor  Baker, 
born  at  Winfield,  Herkermer  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  11,  1841, 
son  of  William  and  Matilda  (Peabody)  (Williams)  Baker. 
He  is  an  extensive  dealer  in  grain  and  general  commis- 
sion. 

"  Mrs.  Eliza  Annie  Baker  was  confirmed  in  Christ's 
Church  [Protestant  Episcopal],  April  14,  1865,  by  Rt. 
Rev.  Henry  J,  Whitehouse,  Bishop  of  the  Diocese  of 
Illinois,  and  has  remained  a  communicant,  in  full  stand- 
ing, in  the  same  parish  to  the  date  of  her  decease. 

Chas.  Edw'd  Cheney,  Rector." 

The  great  Chicago  fire  commenced  Oct.  8,  1871,  at  10 
o'clock  P.  M.  This  was  subdued,  but  another  broke 
out  before  morning  on  the  9th,  which,  in  twenty-four 
liours,  destroyed  almost  the  whole  city. 

Mrs.  Baker,  with  two  of  her  children,  had  returned 
from  her  annual  visit  to  New  England  the  day  before, 
leaving  her  two  little  boys  at  her  father's  to  come 
on  with  her  sister.  They  returned  to  Attleboro  and 
spent  the  winter,  although  their  house  at  Chicago  was 
not  burned.  Feb.  26,  1872,  their  youngest  child  was 
born,  whom  she  invited  its  grandfather  to  name.  He 
called  him  Henry  DuNSXEii  Baker,  and  he  was  bap- 
tized by  that  name,  July  7,  1873,  at  Christ's  Church, 
Chicago,  by  Charles  Edward  Cheney.* 

*  Charles  Edward  Cheney,  born  at  Canandaigua,  N.  Y,,  Feb. 
12,  1836,  educated  at  Hobert  College,  Geneva,  N.  Y.,  went  to 
Chicago,  in  1860,  and  commenced  preaching  in  a  small  edifice  in 


ELIZA^    AKNIE    DUNSTER.  325 

32 

The  summer  of  1873  was,  as  usual,  spent  at  the  East. 
During  that  summer  she  called  on  nearly  all  the  as- 
sociates of  her  early  days,  and  returned  to  Chicago  about 
the  first  of  September.  A  few  days  after  she  entered  a 
public  carriage  for  a  ride.  The  driver  had  left  the 
horses:  they  became  frighteneri,  and  ran  down  Wabash 
Avenue.  She  attempted  to  get  out,  but  was  thrown 
against  the  curbstone,  and  taken  up  insensible.  Im- 
mediate surgical  attention  was  given.  Consciousness 
returned,  and  she  was  thought  to  be  not  dangerously 
injured.  After  a  few  days  she  became  delirious,  and 
died  Sept,  17,  1873.  Her  last  intelligent  request  was 
that  her  nurse,  who'  used  to  sing  to  her  daily,  should 
sing,  from  the  German,  "When  the  swallows  homeward 
fly."  Her  funeral  was  appointed  for  the  next  Saturday, 
but  was  postponed  to  the  next  day  to  await  the  arrival 
of  her  friends  from  the  East. 

Mr.  Cheney,  her  pastor,  made  an  affectionate  address, 
and  nearly  his  whole  congregation  attended  her  funeral 
at  the  family  residence.  The  services  ^  were  closed  by 
singing,  "Jesus,  lover  of  my  soul"  to  the  tune  she  had 
asked  her  nurse  to  sing  to  her. 

23d  street.  His  zeal  in  tlie  service  of  Christ,  and  his  eminent 
ability,  soon  gathered  a  larger  congregation  than  could  be  accom- 
modated there.  In  1865  a  new  and  larger  church  was  built  in 
Michigan  Avenue  by  his  society. 

Conscientiously  believing  that  "regeneration"  was  a  Divine 
gift,  not  bestowed  by  formality,  he  determined,  in  the  fall  of 
1868,  to  omit  that  word  from  the  baptismal  service.  For  this  he 
was  soon  called  to  account.  He  averred  that  the  omission  was 
not  sufficient  to  separate  him  from  his  chosen  people.  A.  vindic- 
tive trial  was  had  and  he  was  adjudged  to  be  unworthy  of  Chris- 
tian communion,  and  was  in  set  form  excommunicated  "from 
the  church  of  God."  An  effort  was  then  made  to  wrest  the 
church  property  from  the  society  who  had  built  it,  and  thereby, 
as  was  said  of  a  similar  case  of  conscience  in  Massachusetts, 
"punish  the  heretic  and  drive  him  out  of  the  colony."  By  a 
sagacious  movement  of  Mr.  C.'s  friends,  made  in  exact  accord- 
ance with  law  and  the  rules  of  business,  the  property  was  saved 
to  the  society,  and  Christ's  Church  at  Chicago  became  the  united 
centre  of  the  movement  which  culminated  in  the  organization  of 
the  "Reformed  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,"  which  affiliates 
cheerfully  with  all  Evangelical  denominations;  and  Mr.  Chencj^ 
is  now  the  Rt.  Rev.  Presiding  Bishop  of  that  Communion. 


326         HENRY    DUNSTER   AND    HIS   DESCENDANTS. 

32 

She  was  buried  at  Graceland,  a  beautiful  cemetery 
about  ten  miles  down  the  Lake,  in  a  spot  selected  by 
her  and  her  husband  for  "  Little  Willie. "  Mr.  Cheney 
read  the  burial  service  at  her  grave. 

To  a  request  for  a  sketch  of  his  remarks,  Mr.  Cheney 
replied:  "You  speak  of  gratitude  for  what  I  said  at 
your  daughter's  funeral.  I  assure  you  it  was  the  sin- 
cere utterance  of  my  heart.  Mrs.  Baker  was  exceeding- 
ly dear  to  Mrs.  Cheney  and  myself.  Our  acqaintance 
began  when  she  was  in  deep  affliction  [the  death  of 
Willie,  her  first  born],  and  the  ties  thus  formed  grew 
stronger  every  year.  She  was  universally  beloved  by  all 
our  church  as  well  as  by  a  large  circle  of  friends  outside 
its  limits.  Her  fondness  for  literary  pursuits  and  literary 
society  rendered  her  the  centre  of  attraction  for  a  great 
many  who  had  similar  tastes,  while  her  devotion  to  her 
family  and  children  was  her  chief  charm  to  those  who 
knew  her  best. 

"  I  deeply  regret  that  I  am  unable  to  funish  the  ad- 
dress which  I  made  at  her  funeral.  It  Avas  wholly  ex- 
temporaneous, and  I  have  no  sufficient  outline  preserved 
to  be  a  guide  in  attempting  to  write  it  out. 

"Besides  what  I  have  already  alluded  to,  viz.,  her 
literary  culture  and  her  love  for  her  children,  the  most 
marked  characteristics  of  Mrs.  Baker's  life  here  were 
her  cheerfulness  under  all  circumstances,  and  her  un- 
selfish, gentle,  Christian  spirit.  These  made  her  beloved 
by  rich  and  jioor  alike;  and  her  memory  is  cherished 
by  many  who  will  never  forget  her  words  and  deeds  of 
kindness." 

They  had  six  children: 

(i)  William*  Dunster  Baker,  born  at  Attleboro, 
Mass.,  Sept.  12,  1863,  died  at  Chicago.  Inscription  on 
marble  monument:  "Willie  Dunster,  son  of  William 
T.  and  Eliza  Annie  Baker,  died  July  27,  1864,  aged  10 
months,  15  days." 

(ii)  Charles^  Hinckly  Baker,  named  after  his 
father's  partner,  born  at  Chicago,  Nov.  30,  1864,  bap- 
tized May  21,  1865. 


THE    BAKER   FAMILY.  327 

32 

(iii)  Howard^  Winfield  Baker,  named  after  his 
father's  native  town,  born  at  Chicago,  March  19,  1866, 
baptized  Xov.  4,  1866. 

(iv)  Annie  *  Merria.m  Baker,  familiarly  called  by 
her  mother  "Kitty,"  born  at  Chicago,  March  29,  1868, 
baptized  June  21,  1868.  She  had  the  scarlatina  when  a 
child,  which  left  her  deaf.  She  has  partially  regained 
her  hearing,  and  speaks  considerably.  She  is  under 
tuition  to  learn  to  enunciate. 

(v)  Bertha*  Cozette  Baker,  born  at  Chicago,  Nov. 
14,  1869,  baptized  June  12,  1870. 

(vi)  Henry*  Dunster  Baker,  born  at  Attleboro, 
Feb.  26,  1872,  baptized  at  Chicago,  July  7,  1872. 

All  except  Willie  baptized  at  Christ's  Church,  by  Rev. 
Mr.  Cheney. 


•29 


328         HENRY    DUNSTER    AND    HIS    DESCENDANTS. 

Aud  now,  my  kindred,  for  your  sake,  mainly,  and  to 
preserve  our  names,  have  these  accumulated  scraps  been 
put  together.  It  is  a  Family  Story,  and  therefore  not 
open  to  professional  criticism.  To  claim  that  it  is  with- 
out error  would  be  preposterous.  We  have  done  what 
we  could;  and  when  "  Old  Mortality  "  shall  pause  before 
our  slumbering  dust,  scattered  broadcast  from  the  icy 
North  to  the  Golden  Gate, — on  the  pathless  wild, — be- 
neath the  lovely  palm, — or  in  the  vasty  deep, — marked, 
perchance,  by  a  crumbling  headstone, — may  he  rechisel 
our  names  and  there  inscribe: — and  in  the  unerring 
record  of  the  Supreme  Architect  of  the  universe, 
whose  name  the  ancient  Hebrews  never  pronounced  but 
in  a  most  reverential  posture  and  in  a  low  breath,  may 
we  find  our  names,  and  against  them  written  that  signifi- 
cant word — placed  by  our  Ancestor  with  his  own  hand 
on  the  first  Seal  of  Harvard  College — 


NOTE.  329 


[NOTE.] 

In  the  gale  on  Friday  morning,  March  9tli,  at  half-past  nine 
o'clock,  one  of  the  large  elms  [noticed  on  page  97]  standing  in 
front  of  the  ho\ise  of  Samnel  Sewell,  Esq.,  was  broken  and  blown 
down  by  the  high  wind.  Another  elm,  nearer  to  the  honse,  lost 
two  large  limbs.  It  is  now  impossible  to  ascertain  the  exact  age 
of  these  trees,  but  they  were  placed  in  their  present  position 
before  1774,  and  hence  must  have  been  growing  there  on  the 
memorable  morning  of  the  battle  of  Lexington,  April  19th,  1775. 
Perhaps  John  Hancock,  or  Samuel  Adams,  or  the  fair  Dorothy 
Quincy,  observed  the  young  elms  budding  in  the  early  spring,  or 
remarked  upon  their  beauty  when  they  found  a  refuge  at  the 
house  of  Madam  Jones,  on  the  eventful  morning  of  the  battle. 
And  years  after  they  had  slept  in  their  graves,  and  not  one  wit- 
ness of  the  battle  of  Lexington  survived,  these  trees,  beautiful  in 
their  old  age,  looked  upon  the  citizens  of  the  town,  as  they  rode 
in  procession  to  celebrate  the  anniversary  at  Lexington,  in  1875. 
These  trees  were  planted  and  tended  by  a  negro  named  Cuff,  a 
faithful  servant  of  Madam  Jones,-  the  widow  of  Uev.  Thomas 
Jones,  the  second  minister  of  Woburn  Precinct,  now  Burlington. 
His  grave  may  3"et  be  found  in  the  ancient  burial  ground  at  Bur- 
lington, but  the  trees  he  planted  for  the  adornmerit  of  the  home 
of  his  mistress  and  her  descendants,  have  been  for  years  a  more 
fitting  memorial  of  his  faithful  service  than  the  grey  slate  stone 
fast  sinking  into  the  earth.  These  trees  were  both  struck  by 
lightning  about  fifty-two  years  ago,  and  in  the  same  month  of 
last  year,  one  of  them  was  again  visited  in  like  manner.  The 
marks  of  the  first  stroke  were  plainly  to  be  seen,  on  the  trunks 
of  both  trees.  In  both  instances,  being  much  higher  than  the 
house,  they  probably  saved  it  from  nmcli  damage,  and  possibly 
from  destruction.  These  trees  have  always  been  highly  prized 
by  the  inhabitants  and  owners  of  the  house  they  have  sheltered, 
and  they  will  long  be  remembered  and  regretted,  bj'  the  occu- 
pants of  the  dwelling,  which  they  have  ornamented  and  protected 
for  more  than  a  hundred  years.  (Woburn  Journal,  March  24, 1877.) 

We  would  gladly  receive  any  other  facts  of  family 
interest,  especially  Eecords,  Additional  History,  cor- 
rection of  errors,  etc.  They  will  be  carefully  preserved 
for  future  reference, — 

"  For  thee,  who,  mindful  of  th'  unhonor'd  dead, 
Dost  in  these  lines  their  artless  tale  relate; 
If  chance,  by  lonely  contemplation  led, 

Some  kindred  spirit  shall  enquire  thy  fate — " 


INDEX. 


Adams 11,  47,  74,  85 

Allen 134,  228,  295,  314 

Amsden 209,  290 

Appleton 104 

Arnold 318 

Atherton 252 

Attridge 148 

Atwood 251 

Bailey vii,  201 

Baker 324 

Baldwin 205 

Barrett 265 

Bartlett 172 

Bascomb 119 

Beard 173 

Becker 156 

Belding 195 

Belknap 229 

Bemis 146,  147,  150 

Bennett 177,316 

Billings 55,  60 

Bixby 211 

Bliss 302 

Blodget 173 

Blood  62,206 

Bohanon 215 

Bourn 176 

Bovee 212 

Bowen 104 

Boyce 194 

Brewer 174 

Brewster 221 

Brigham 172 

Bristol 277 

Brown 164 

Bryant 181 

Burdit 153 

Butterfield 252 

Byard 173 


Calester 210 

Calhoun 261- 

Campbell 219 

I  Carey 312 

Carrol 194 

f  Carruth 291 

Carteret 30,  43 

Chaffin 185 

Chandler 149 

Chauncey 13 

Chamberlain 161,  196 

Chaplin 10,  15 

Chase 153 

Cheney 324 

Chickering 252 

Childs 178 

Chipman 194 

Clapp 193 

Clark 123,  189 

Cobb 244 

Coe 164 

Cooke 34,  104,  156,  190 

Ceoper 294 

Comer 196 

Conant 18,  209 

Corbin 294 

Cordley 297 

Cotton :.  .104 

Crosby 246 

Cudworth 173 

Cutler 71,  73,  99,  168 

Cutter 34,  136 

Dakin 264 

Daniels 48 

Davidson 250 

Davis 257 

Day 175 

Dennis 125 

Dickinson 150,  157 


IN])  EX. 


331 


Dickson 53,  58 

Dixon 53 

Dow 163,  312,  315 

Drew 195 

Dudley 225 

Duncan 199 

Duren 77 

DUNSTER 

Aaron 181 

Abigail 40,  98 

Asaph 163 

Betsey 53,  306 

Caroline 185 

Charles 277 

David 32,  49,  168 

Dorothy 26 

Edward 316 

Elizabeth. 21,  26,  28,  40,  43,  53, 

143 

Ephraim 159 

Hannah 130,  181 

Henry,  vii,  1—21,  23,  26,  35,  40, 

184,  206,  216,  222,  274,  303 

Hubbard 158 

Isaiah. . .  .40,  103,  256,  281,  299 

Jason 43,  136,  184,  258,  270 

Jonathan 21,  23 

Keziah 168 

Lucv 165 

Lydia 166 

Margary 185 

Martin 160 

Martha 40,  53,  231 

Marv 40,  64,  146,  287 

Nathan 160 

Pricilla 44,  183 

Rebecca 160,  223 

Ruhamah 200 

Ruth 43,  206 

Samuel 267,  278,  312 

Sarah 185 

Thomas 26,  167,  181 

Ellison 5 

Emerson 150,  246 

Estabrook 51,  183 

Everett 132 

Farnsworth 293 

Farnum 179 


Farr 194 

Fay 209 

Felt 225,  27a 

Ferguson 296. 

Ferrin 211 

Fiske 60,  300 

Fitch 174 

Fitts 161 

Foster 122,  128,  261 

Folsom 18 

French 154,  180,  201,  248 

George 71,75 

Glover 21,  121 

Going 47 

Goddard 55 

Green v,  244 

Greenwood 251 

Hadley 149,  152 

Hall 9 

Hammond 59,  319. 

Hancock 85,  104 

Hardy 275 

Harris 247 

Harrington 41 

Harron 193 

Haskell 129- 

Heald 245 

Higley 23& 

Hill 9,  17,  140,  196 

Hildreth 147 

Hobert 195 

Holden 195 

Hopkins 170 

Hosley 5^ 

Hosmer 230 

Howe 253 

Howell 293 

Ingerson 211 

Jewell 254 

Jewett 170 

Johnson 6,  171,  218 

Jones 86,  96,  185,  22a 

Kimball 201,  287,  297 

Kinley 164 

Knight '. 252 

Knox 259 


332 


INDEX. 


Knowlton 262 

Landrum 304 

Lawrence 153 

Livingston 292 

Locke 39,  74,  219 

Lynch 227,  299 

Lyon 10 

Marrett 64,  69,  77,  80,  96 

Martin 98 

Mason 300 

Mattison 177 

McClellan 318 

McFarland 229 

Mellen 304 

Melville 243 

Merriam 201,  213,  264 

Merrill 63,  245 

Merryfield 311 

Miller 155,  180,  191 

Mitchel 275 

Montjoy 168 

Nason 181 

Newell 192,  312 

Nichols 166,  181 

Norton 156 

Noyes 311 

Nutting 56 

Page 26 

Paige 46,  129 

Palmer 195 

Parker 72 

Parson 166 

Peabody 151 

Peaslee 317 

Perkins 315 

Pierce 110,  179,  227,  231 

Poole 158 

Porter 194 

Post 296 

Pratt 169 

Quincy 85 

Ralf 215 

Hand 180 

Randall 190 


Ray 77 

Raymond 177 

Rice 244 

Rising 176 

Robbins 162 

Romig 176 

Root 168 

Ruirgles 107,  213 

Rundle 56 

Russell 45,  215,  308 

Sampson 221 

Sanborn 71,  231 

Sargeant 187 

Savery 220 

Sawin 309 

Sawyer 74 

Scribner 229 

Sewall 97,  102 

Shattuck 182 

Shedd 56 

Sherman 276 

Smith 72,  156,  208 

Simonds 180 

Slate 155 

Sprague 47 

Spring 288 

Sprole 322 

Staples 302 

Stilson 240 

Stone Ill,  236,  248 

Storer 104 

Stomrhton 190 

Studley 152 

Sullivan , 61 

Sumner 217 

Swallow 223,  230 

Swan 75 

Swift 316 

Tarbell 173 

Taylor 143,  274,  325 

Thomas 29 

Towne 74 

Townsend 172,  269 

Tufts 11,  47 

Turner 198 

Tyler 165 

Tyrrell 145 

Upham 101,  156 


INDEX. 


333 


Vanderlip 177 

Wade 28 

Wait 199 

Walker •.  ..246 

Wallace 179 

Ware 246 

Way 198 

Weeks 175 

Weld 125,314 

Wells 177  I  Wyman. 


Whitney 138 

Whitteniore 45 

Willard 121.  169 

Wilder 185,  187,  193 

Williams 104 

Wilson 141 

Winsliip 234 

Winslow 124 

Wood 170,  182,  225,  234 

Wright 231,  254 

86,  175